Flood Alert Issued for Rivers Brathay, Rothay, and Winster

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the Rivers Brathay, Rothay, and Winster in the Westmorland and Furness area. Rising river and lake levels on March 12, 2026, may lead to flooding in low-lying areas.

Alert Details

• Alert Type: Flood Alert (Severity Level 3)
• Issued By: Environment Agency
• Effective Date: March 12, 2026

Affected Areas

The alert covers low-lying land and roads near the Rivers Brathay, Rothay, and Winster, as well as other watercourses stretching from Grasmere to Grange-over-Sands. Specific locations at risk include:

• Ambleside
• Skelwith Bridge
• Windermere
• Hawkshead
• Newby Bridge
• Backbarrow
• Cark
• Cartmel

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the affected regions are urged to take care. The Environment Agency advises avoiding walking, cycling, or driving through flood water. Local residents should monitor the situation closely as water levels fluctuate.

Expected Conditions

A band of rain moving through the area is causing river and lake levels to rise. While this rain is expected to clear to the south by this evening, the forecast indicates variable cloud cover with patchy rain returning in the early hours of the morning. This precipitation may turn wintry over higher ground. Windy conditions are expected to persist throughout the night.

Timeline

The flood alert is currently in effect for March 12, 2026. Environment Agency officials are monitoring the situation and plan to provide an update by 8:00 AM on March 13, 2026, or earlier if the situation changes significantly.