ENVIRONMENT chiefs have issued a flood warning for a Hampshire stream, the first of the autumn.

The alert is in place for the Wallop Brook, between Over Wallop and Bossington near Stockbridge in the Test Valley.

The warning follows a period of unusually heavy rainfall which has filled watercourses and also lifted the groundwater levels in the underlying chalk rock.

Hampshire Chronicle: Flood alert issued for The WallopsFlood alert issued for The Wallops (Image: Environment Agency)

 

The Environment Agency states: "Flooding is possible in this area.

"Monitor local water levels and weather conditions. Avoid using low lying footpaths or entering areas prone to flooding. Start acting on your flood plan if you have one.

"Environment Agency Flood Warning Officers set the river or tidal levels that have triggered this message. During industrial action this message has been automatically issued based on rising river or tidal levels.

"Flood alert area: Wallop Brook from Over Wallop to Bossington."

The 'flood alert' is the lowest of three types of warning, below flood warning and severe flood warning. The Environment Agency advice is to make preparations.

It says that if you haven’t already done so, you should:

sign up for flood warnings;

keep up to date with the latest flood risk situation - call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or follow @EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood updates;

have a bag ready with vital items like insurance documents and medications in case you need to leave your home;

check you know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water mains supplies;

plan how you'll move family and pets to safety.