Flood Alert Issued for Upper River Tamar and Surrounding Catchments in Devon and Cornwall

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert (Severity Level 3) for the Upper River Tamar area. This alert indicates that flooding is possible due to high river levels resulting from forecast heavy rain over the next three days.

Affected Areas

The alert covers the Devon, Cornwall, and Isles of Scilly region. Specific geographic areas and river catchments affected include:

• River Tamar
• River Strat
• River Neet
• River Ottery
• River Kensey

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the affected areas are advised to take the following precautions:

• Take care and avoid walking, cycling, or driving through flood water.
• Monitor local water levels and stay informed as the situation changes.
• Be prepared for potential travel disruptions on low-lying roads.

Expected Conditions

Heavy rain is forecast overnight on Tuesday, falling on already saturated catchments. Rivers are expected to respond quickly to the precipitation. While no flooding to properties is currently forecast, high river levels are expected to cause flooding to low-lying land and roads close to the River Tamar starting late Tuesday evening.

Timeline

The alert is effective from the evening of Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and is expected to remain in place until Thursday, February 19, 2026. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring the situation and plans to provide an update by 4:00 PM on February 18, 2026, or sooner if conditions change significantly.