COMMUNITIES are being urged to stay alert as the Environment Agency and Met Office warn that unsettled and often severe weather is set to continue well into mid March.
After an exceptionally wet start to 2026, large parts of the country are already experiencing saturated ground, rising river levels and renewed flood risks. Further bands of rain, combined with periods of strong winds and high tides, are expected to bring continued disruption.
The south west of England has been particularly battered, experiencing 216mm of rainfall so far this year – 184% of the long-term average. In Somerset, about 29 square miles of the Levels and Moors have been flooded.
With the Met Office warning the changeable weather is expected to remain until the middle of March, Environment Agency has confirmed hundreds of flood responders will continue to be deployed around the country to respond to flooding and protect vulnerable communities.
Action includes temporary barriers being deployed along the Severn and the Thames, including recently installed barriers at Bewdley in Worcestershire and at Oxford to protect the city.
Since the first wet forecasts in January, agency teams have been working around the clock conducting flood defences checks, clearing river blockages, and monitoring river levels as rainfall occurs.
Sarah Davies, head of energy and environment at the Met Office, said: “While it is likely to remain changeable, with further wet weather at times, the focus for the wettest conditions is expected to shift to western hills, where we would normally expect it at this time of year. However, given some areas elsewhere remain sensitive following recent rain, any further spells of rain as we head into early spring has a higher chance of causing some impacts than normal for this type of set-up.”
