Flood Warning Info - Groundwater flooding in the Lower Allen Vale
Area Description
Groundwater flooding in the Lower Allen Vale including New Town, Witchampton.
This is a Flood Warning Area. For this area, you may receive Flood Warnings or Severe Flood Warnings.
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Flood Warning Currently in Force
Flood Warning issued on 4 Feb 2026 12:28
Groundwater
Groundwater levels in Cranborne Chase remain high. Areas that could be affected include: Lower Allen Vale including New Town, Witchampton. The groundwater level at Woodyates borehole is 106.8m, and is expected remain high over the next few days.
Residents are advised to prepare property resilience measures and ensure that pumps are working where they have been installed. Residents may experience inundation of septic tanks and sewer systems. Properties may experience flooding in cellars in affected areas.
Flooding of roads is expected, take particular care when driving, both for your own safety and to prevent flooding to others. Roads may have become damaged by floodwater.
Where groundwater is near the surface, intense rainfall will lead to surface water flooding. We will continue to monitor the situation closely. If you have a pump, make sure it is working and switched on. Think about alternative power sources in case of power cuts.
This message will be updated by 1:00 PM on 11 February 2026.
Area Covered by this Flood Warning
The red highlighted area on the map below outlines the area covered by this Flood Warning.
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Flood Warning History
Number of historic Flood Warnings that have previously been recorded for this area:
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Historical Flood Warnings for this Area
Flood Warning issued on 29 Jan 2026 17:50
Groundwater
High groundwater levels are expected to cause flooding.
Flooding is expected from 29 January 2026.
Groundwater levels in Cranborne Chase are rising. Areas that could be affected include: Lower Allen Vale including New Town, Witchampton. The groundwater level at Woodyates borehole has risen to 106.82m, and is expected to rise further into next week. Residents are advised to prepare property resilience measures and ensure that pumps are working where they have been installed. Residents may experience inundation of septic tanks and sewer systems. Properties may experience flooding in cellars in affected areas. Flooding of roads is expected, take particular care when driving.
We are closely monitoring the situation .
If you have a pump, make sure it is working and switched on. Think about alternative power sources in case of power cuts .
This message will be updated by 3:30PM on 04 February 2026 or as the situation changes.
Flood Warning issued on 10 Jan 2024 16:53
Groundwater
The groundwater level at the Woodyates borehole has now peaked and will start to drop back over the next few days. Flooding of roads and some properties is expected to gradually recede by the weekend.
Residents should keep any property resilience measures such as pumps, flood barriers and air brick covers deployed as there may be a delayed response.
Driving through flood water will be especially dangerous as temperatures will drop to below freezing at times over the next week and will cause ice to form on roads. The bow wave from vehicles can flood adjacent properties and lead to icing of pavements.
Sewage systems may remain problematic over the next few days.
Do not lift manhole covers to alleviate local surface water flooding as this may cause toilets further downhill to surcharge.
This message will be updated on Friday 12th January, or as the situation changes.
Flood Warning issued on 7 Jan 2024 16:07
Groundwater
The groundwater level at the Woodyates borehole is rising in response to recent heavy rainfall and will continue to do so for the next 48 hours. Flooding of roads and some properties, especially basements is expected to continue.
Residents should deploy any property resilience measures such as pumps, flood barriers and air brick covers.
Driving through flood water will be especially dangerous as temperatures will drop to below freezing at times over the next week and will cause ice to form on roads. The bow wave from vehicles can flood adjacent properties and lead to icing of pavements.
Sewage systems may become overloaded. Do not lift manhole covers to alleviate local surface water flooding as this may cause toilets further downhill to surcharge.
This message will be updated on Tuesday 9th January, or as the situation changes.
Flood Warning issued on 16 Jan 2023 14:57
Groundwater
Flooding is expected in this area. Monitor local groundwater levels and weather conditions. Take care in areas prone to flooding. Start acting on your flood plan if you have one. Check pumps and any other flood protection equipment you may have. The Environment Agency Flood Warning System has issued this message based on rising groundwater levels. We are temporarily automating our messages due to industrial action.
Flood Warning issued on 6 Jan 2023 15:17
Groundwater
Following three months of above average rainfall, groundwater levels in the area have risen considerably, and with further rainfall forecast over the next ten days are set to rise yet further. Up to date groundwater levels for the area can be seen at Woodyates groundwater monitoring site which can be accessed at check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk
Environment agency staff will continue to monitor the situation. Contact the local authority to report issues and for assistance or your flood warden for more local advice.
Flooding of roads and some vulnerable properties is possible.
Residents may experience inundation of basements, septic tanks and sewer systems.
If you have a pump, make sure it is working and switched on. Think about alternative power sources in case of power cuts.
Road surfaces may become damaged.
Please do not drive through floodwater as bow waves may affect adjacent properties.
Flood Warning issued on 3 Jan 2023 11:13
Groundwater
We are temporarily automating our messages due to industrial action.