Environment Agency flood alerts for rivers affecting Lymington, Brockenhurst, Cadnam and Ower

Two more flood alerts have been issued for local rivers.

The Environment Agency this afternoon (Thursday) added Lymington River and River Blackwater to the earlier alert for Christchurch.

The EA says flooding is possible for Lymington River, including Brockenhurst, after 27mm of rain fell in the village in 17 hours. From 5.30pm today the river will be higher than normal, and drainage ditches through the New Forest will flood land and roads.

It will be ‘bank full’ as it flows through Martin’s Road and Balmer Lawn Road, and may cause garden flooding at Balmer Lawn Road, the agency said.

In Lymington, the river will rise over the next 10 hours, but properties are not expected to be affected. Lighter rain is forecast this evening which means the river will remain high until at least 2am tomorrow before water levels fall.

Levels at both River Blackwater at Ower and Cadnam River are also high and rising. Today the river will continue to flood low-lying land and roads, and the water level will become high around the mill at Wellow.

Occasionally heavy rain is forecast for the rest of the afternoon, but should clear by 7pm this evening. A further 10-25mm could fall within this time.

The river will continue to rise and is unlikely to peak until at least 11pm today.