Flood warning issued for River Blackwater near Romsey

The warning covers the Landford, Wellow Mill, and Wade Bridge, on the River Blackwater near Romsey.

It comes following a flood alert yesterday, Thursday, March 28.

The warning, which was issued at 5.35pm on March 28, says: "The water level in the River Blackwater at Wellow and Ower is high and rising. Throughout Thursday morning (March 28), 15mm of rain has been recorded in Romsey. This has added to a river which is already high.

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"Over the next 24 hours, more significant out-of-bank flooding will affect land and roads at West Wellow, Landford and Ower. From 7pm this evening (March 28) , the river will be high enough to flood the Mill at East Wellow.

Map showing the areas covered by the flood alerts (Image: Environment Agency)

"Heavy showers will continue until midday Friday, March 29 and levels will rise and fall in response. The river is expected to peak around midday on Friday.

"Our operations staff are ensuring the River Blackwater is kept free of blockages. We continue to monitor the forecast. Please take appropriate action to protect property and ensure pumps used to lower water levels are operating."

A flood alert for the River Blackwater is still in place, covering the area from Landford to East Wellow and Wade Bridge on the River Blackwater, and Cadnam to Ower on the Cadnam River.

An additional flood alert has been issued for the Lower Test, covering the river and its tributaries from Romsey to Totton.

The alert says: "At Romsey and Testwood, levels in the River Test are high and continue to rise. In the last 48 hours, over 35 mm of rain was recorded at Romsey. Currently (Thursday, March 28) there is a significant amount of water flooding land and fields from Timsbury to Romsey. Some footpath flooding may affect Rivermead Close and Memorial Park.

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"At Romsey Industrial estate, water may be ponded on land near to Greatbridge Road. Land at Broadlands and Testwood will also flood. Heavy showers will continue to affect the area over the next 24 hours with up to 30mm possible and flood impacts may increase throughout this period. Conditions remain unsettled into the weekend although less rain is forecast after Friday, March 29. While water levels in the river will begin to reduce, they will remain higher than normal over the next few weeks.

"We are managing sluices to balance water levels throughout the town. We recommend private sluice owners undertake regular sluice operations. Flooded land at Testwood may require livestock to be moved."

More information about what to do in the case of flooding can be found on the Environment Agency website.