Flood Alert Issued for Groundwater Levels in East Kent

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert (Severity Level 3) for groundwater flooding in East Kent. This alert is part of the Kent, South London and East Sussex area management and was officially raised on March 13, 2026.

Affected Areas

The alert covers specific geographic regions in Kent, including Petham Bourne, Alkham bourne, and Nailbourne. Specific communities identified as at risk include:

• Alkham
• Temple Ewell
• Elham
• Barham
• Bishopsbourne
• Bridge
• Patrixbourne
• Bekesbourne

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are advised to monitor groundwater levels through the official ‘Check for Flooding’ service on gov.uk. Riparian owners—those who own land adjoining a watercourse—are specifically reminded of their responsibility to keep rivers on their land clear of debris and obstructions to ensure proper flow.

Expected Conditions

Rising groundwater levels may lead to flooding of low-lying land, roads, and properties with basements. The current situation is a result of significant rainfall recorded during January and early February. While conditions became noticeably drier by late February and groundwater levels have begun to stabilize in some locations, the Nailbourne continues to flow along its full course. The Environment Agency is currently operating the Littlebourne Relief Channel to manage water levels.

Timeline

The alert was issued at 11:08 AM on March 13, 2026. Officials are closely monitoring the situation and have stated that this message will be updated by 4:00 PM on March 20, 2026, or sooner if the situation changes significantly.