New online advice hubs have been launched to support Dorset residents dealing with ongoing groundwater flooding.
The Environment Agency has introduced two websites covering Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset, bringing together guidance, updates and links to support in one place. Dorset and Wiltshire, which sit largely on a chalk aquifer, are experiencing the worst groundwater flooding since 2014 after sustained heavy rain in January and February. Conditions are expected to last for several more weeks.
Extra pumps have been installed at sites including Blandford pumping station in Dorset to help reduce water levels. The Dorset and Wiltshire Groundwater Incident Response 2026 website explains how groundwater flooding differs from river flooding, offers safety advice and encourages residents to sign up to a specialist flood warning service monitoring underground water levels.
Ian Withers from the Environment Agency said the work is far from over and communities are still living with elevated water levels. He said the agency will continue to respond, warn and engage with residents, and that the webpages will help keep people informed.
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