Overview
- Groundwater levels in parts of Dorset are at their highest since 2013/14, with some gauges exceeding measurement scales, according to the Environment Agency.
- The Environment Agency reports 32 of 35 groundwater flood warnings active across the region, with thousands of properties identified as at risk.
- The Met Office has a yellow warning for rain in south Wiltshire through Thursday and has issued another for Friday, with forecasters expecting 20–30mm widely and over 50mm on higher ground.
- Authorities urge residents to sign up for flood alerts, check pumps and property resilience measures, and note that sandbags are largely ineffective against groundwater.
- Rising groundwater raises the risk of sewage contamination and road damage, with Wessex Water coordinating responses and officials warning of hazardous driving conditions.