Flood Alert Issued for Great Shefford Area in West Berkshire Due to High Groundwater

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for groundwater flooding in the Great Shefford area. This alert is classified as severity level 3, indicating that flooding is possible and residents should remain vigilant.

Affected Areas

The primary geographic region affected is the Great Shefford area within West Berkshire, located in the Thames area. Specific impacts are expected in low-lying areas and on local roads.

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning zone are advised to take the following precautions:

• Prepare property resilience measures immediately.
• Ensure that any installed basement or flood pumps are in good working order.
• Exercise caution when driving through flood water to ensure your own safety and to avoid displacing water into nearby properties.

Expected Conditions

High groundwater levels are currently impacting the region. Data from the Northfield Farm borehole indicates that while levels are now falling very gradually, they remain high and sensitive to any further sustained rainfall. Flooding of roads and low-lying land is the primary hazard identified by the Environment Agency.

Timeline

The alert was officially raised at 7:53 AM on March 17, 2026. Due to the slow-moving nature of groundwater, these conditions are expected to continue for several weeks or longer. The Environment Agency will monitor the situation closely and provide an updated message by 12:00 PM on March 24, 2026, or sooner if the situation changes.