Flood Alert Issued for St Austell and Par Rivers in Cornwall Through Thursday

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the St Austell and Par Rivers area. This level 3 severity alert was raised at 5:11 PM on February 17, 2026, following forecasts of heavy rainfall and rising river levels.

Affected Areas

The alert specifically covers the Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly region within the county of Cornwall. The primary waterways of concern are the River Par and the Mevagissey Stream.

What You Should Do

Residents are advised to take care and avoid walking, cycling, or driving through flood water. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring the situation and will provide an update by 4:00 PM on February 18, 2026, or sooner if the situation changes.

Expected Conditions

Heavy rain is forecast overnight. Because catchments are already saturated, rivers are expected to respond quickly. Forecast levels indicate that flooding is possible on low-lying land and roads close to the river starting late Tuesday evening. Currently, no flooding to properties is forecast.

Timeline

The alert is effective from the evening of Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and is expected to persist until Thursday, February 19, 2026. High river levels are anticipated to remain a concern over the next three days.