Flood Alert Issued for Lower River Eden Including Carlisle and Rockcliffe

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert (Severity Level 3) for the Lower River Eden. The alert was officially raised on the afternoon of March 12, 2026, following observations of high river levels that may lead to flooding in the region.

Affected Areas

The alert specifically covers the Lower River Eden area within Cumbria and Lancashire, impacting the counties of Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness. Locations most affected include low-lying land and roads near the River Eden and its tributaries. The warning zone extends from the river’s confluence with the River Irthing, through Crosby-on-Eden and Carlisle, to the Solway Firth at Rockcliffe.

What You Should Do

Residents and commuters are advised to take care and avoid walking, cycling, or driving through flood water. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring the situation and urges the public to remain vigilant near riverbanks.

Expected Conditions

A current band of rain is expected to clear to the south by this evening. Overnight, the region will see variable cloud cover with patchy rain developing in the early hours, which is expected to fall as wintry precipitation on higher ground. Windy conditions are forecast to persist throughout the night.

Timeline

The flood alert is effective for March 12, 2026. Officials have stated that this message will be updated by 8:00 AM on March 13, 2026, or sooner if the situation changes significantly.