Flood Alert Issued for Groundwater Flooding in Hambledon, Hampshire

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Alert (Severity Level 3) for groundwater flooding in the Hambledon area. The alert was officially raised at 3:33 PM on March 18, 2026, following observations of high groundwater levels.

Affected Areas

The primary area affected is the village of Hambledon in Hampshire, located within the Solent and South Downs region. Specific monitoring is centered around the borehole at Whitedale Farm.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected area are advised to prepare property resilience measures immediately. It is essential to ensure that any installed water pumps are in good working condition. The Environment Agency is currently monitoring the situation and maintains liaison with the Hambledon Flood Action Group.

Expected Conditions

Groundwater levels in the region remain high, and flooding is expected to continue affecting cellars within the village. Ongoing impacts to the local sewerage system are also likely. Data from the borehole at Whitedale Farm indicates that while levels remain elevated, they have fallen by 3.3 meters over the last week.

Timeline

The alert is effective immediately. A dry weather forecast is in place from Wednesday, March 18, 2026, through Sunday, March 22, 2026, which is expected to allow groundwater levels to continue their slow decline. If favorable weather conditions persist into next week, the alert may be removed. A formal update on the situation is expected by 6:00 PM on March 25, 2026.