Groundwater Flood Alert Issued for West Dean, Singleton, and Surrounding West Sussex Areas

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Alert for groundwater in the Solent and South Downs area. The alert (ID: 065FAG016) was raised due to groundwater levels being high and very close to the surface, although they are currently beginning to fall.

Affected Areas

The alert specifically covers the following locations in West Sussex:

• West Dean
• Singleton
• Charlton
• East Dean
• Chilgrove

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning area should take the following actions:

• Take care while driving or walking on roads that flood, particularly in Chilgrove, West Dean, Singleton, and East Dean.
• Ensure that any basement pumps are in working order.
• Be aware that groundwater may affect the ability of the sewage network to operate in East Dean, Charlton, Singleton, and West Dean.

Expected Conditions

Groundwater levels are currently high, causing springs to appear and water to accumulate in fields. Small amounts of water are flowing down roads, and water may appear in a small number of basements. No rain is forecast over the next five days (through Tuesday, March 24, 2026). Groundwater at both Chilgrove and East Dean boreholes is expected to continue to fall.

Timeline

The alert is currently active. While groundwater is expected to fall throughout March, flood impacts may not reduce until April. If persistent or exceptional rainfall occurs in late March, impacts may remain for a longer duration. The Environment Agency will update this message by 18:00 on March 24, 2026.