Environment Agency: flood risk in Somerset, Dorset
If you live in Somerset or Dorset, you’re being asked to stay alert. After Storm Chandra, the Environment Agency says the flood risk hasn’t passed. Today, Monday 2 February 2026, Met Office yellow rain warnings are in place overnight into Tuesday 3 February across parts of England, so showers could top up already high rivers and saturated ground.
In the Somerset Levels and Moors, additional pumps are running to lower and stabilise water levels. Agency teams are out on the ground, meeting residents, answering questions and explaining the actions being taken.
Water levels remain very high in Dorset and Wiltshire. The Environment Agency is working with councils, water companies and emergency responders to manage flooding. The guidance is clear: avoid driving through floodwater; it is often deeper than it looks and just 30 centimetres of flowing water can float a car.
As of Monday 2 February 2026, the Environment Agency estimates 238 properties have been recorded as flooded, while more than 16,200 have been protected by defences. These figures will be updated as teams verify the impact on the ground.
If you’re studying geography, this is a useful real‑world example of how different floods behave. Groundwater flooding happens when the soil and rock below our feet are saturated and water rises from beneath. It is common in chalk areas across Dorset, Wiltshire and parts of Hampshire, and it tends to last longer. River and surface water flooding respond more quickly to bursts of rain, then can fall back.
Based on current forecasts, the Agency says significant groundwater impacts are probable in parts of Dorset and Wiltshire, with minor impacts possible in Hampshire. Significant river and surface water impacts are possible across the south of England today, Monday 2 February, and Tuesday 3 February 2026. For the Somerset Levels, significant inland impacts are possible but not expected from today.
Teams have been mobilised across the country to check flood defences, clear any blockages and closely monitor river levels. The Environment Agency says crews have been working around the clock and will remain out in force over the coming days.
Joe Cuthbertson, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said their thoughts are with everyone affected, including those whose homes and businesses have flooded. He urged people to keep safe around fast‑moving water and to rethink any plan that involves driving through a flooded road.
Floods Minister Emma Hardy said she is in regular contact with the Environment Agency about the response. She added that local authorities and the emergency services are taking action to keep communities safe, and pointed to a record £10.5 billion being invested to protect a further 900,000 properties by 2036, alongside more than £100 million reprioritised to maintain existing flood assets.
Even when the rain eases, don’t assume the risk has gone. Some rivers, moors and levels respond slowly to rain already in the system and can keep rising for a time. That can feel confusing after a dry spell, so it helps to keep an eye on local updates and make small preparations at home.
For practical steps today, plan routes that avoid flooded roads, stick to higher ground where possible, move important items upstairs if water is nearby and keep phones charged. If you need advice, call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 and talk to someone. Multiple groundwater flood warnings are currently in force in Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire.
To stay informed, sign up for free alerts on Get flood warnings by text, phone or email and check your local situation via Check for flooding - GOV.UK. These tools are quick to set up and, as many of us have learned this winter, early warnings make a real difference.