Flood Warning Info - Groundwater flooding for the Wylye Valley at Wilton

The groundwater level at the Stoford Cross borehole has risen to 70.97m above sea level and is forecast to reach 73.0m by Sunday the 7th. For reference the peak level in January was 78m The weather over the next two weeks will continue unsettled with a heavier band of rain expected on Friday. Groundwater levels are expected to continue rising steadily overv the next week. Property flooding is expected and sewage systems may become inundated. Residents should deploy any property flood resilience measures such as pumps, flood barriers and air brick covers. Avoid driving through flood water as the bow wave from vehicles can flood adjacent properties. 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 as the situation changes.

The groundwater level at the Stoford Cross borehole has risen sharply to 78.25m above sea level and is expected to continue rising until the weekend at least. For reference the peak level in January was 78.02m The weather over the next two weeks will continue unsettled with a heavier band of rain expected on Friday. Groundwater levels are expected to continue rising steadily overv the next week. Property flooding is expected and sewage systems may become inundated. Residents should deploy any property flood resilience measures such as pumps, flood barriers and air brick covers. Avoid driving through flood water as the bow wave from vehicles can flood adjacent properties. 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 as the situation changes.

The groundwater level at the Windwhistle borehole has now peaked and will continue to slowly drop back over the next few days. Flooding of roads and some properties is expected to gradually recede by the beginning of next week. 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 Saturday 13th January, or as the situation changes.

The groundwater level at the Windwhistle 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.

Groundwater levels have started to fall back so that the risk of flooding is now reduced. The cold, dry spell will continue for the next week meaning that levels will continue to fall towards the middle of February. A return to warmer, wetter conditions from the second week of next month could bring levels back up again quite quickly. You are advised to take the opportunity to check any pumps are in good working order and that stocks of sandbags are replenished. Septic tanks may need emptying as soakaways may not work for some time. Many roads are still flooded and springs have burst through the surface causing them to break up. Please drive slowly as vehicle bow waves can damage adjacent properties. Flood water on roads is freezing leading to widespread black ice. Rivers and streams remain full due to high groundwater levels and will react rapidly to further rainfall. Our staff will continue to monitor the situation and will update this message as the situation develops.

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.