Farmers across southern England are bracing for further disruption as heavy rain causes prolonged flooding of farmland and threatens to delay early spring work.
With the soil already saturated and river levels rising, the Environment Agency warned that unstable weather will increase the risk of flooding in the coming days. Currently, 76 flood warnings and 157 flood warnings have been issued across the country.
Flooded pastures, struggling winter crops and limited access along rural roads are currently the focus of concern for many agricultural businesses. In low-lying areas, prolonged groundwater flooding can render fields unusable for weeks.
Multiple groundwater flood warnings are in place for Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire. Because groundwater levels rise and fall slowly, disturbances can persist long after rainfall subsides, affecting soil structure and delaying mechanical access. Minor groundwater impacts may also occur in parts of Kent and East Sussex.
In Somerset Levels and the Moors, where farmland is particularly vulnerable, authority teams have activated pumps to stabilize water levels. Officers are also clearing vegetation, clearing obstructions in the river and installing temporary barriers to protect surrounding land and property.
At least 300 properties have been recorded as being flooded so far and more than 22,000 are protected by defences, although these numbers may change as assessments continue.
Water levels remain very high in parts of Dorset and Wiltshire and authorities are working in conjunction with councils, water companies and emergency services. In rural areas, flooding of roads has added to the chaos.
Jonathan Day, the Environment Agency’s flood manager, said: “The public needs to remain vigilant about the risk of flooding as the rain continues to fall again.”
He warned that “significant groundwater flooding impacts are likely to occur in parts of Dorset and Wiltshire”, while “significant river flooding impacts are still likely in the Salisbury area” and could continue at Somerset Level.
Mr Day said more than 22,000 homes and businesses had been saved, but “sadly 300 were affected by flooding”. He added that teams will continue to support communities by installing pumps and temporary barriers and clearing waterways.
Drivers are being asked not to attempt to cross flooded roads, particularly in rural areas where water is moving quickly and hidden damage can pose a serious danger. “Driving through flood water is extremely dangerous,” Day stressed.
Flood Minister Emma Hardy, who visited Langport, Somerset, this week described the flooding as “catastrophic” and urged residents to follow local advice as further rain approached.
He pointed to a record £10.5 billion investment in flood defenses to protect an additional 900,000 properties, including rural homes, businesses and farmland, by 2036. Over £100m is also being spent on maintaining existing flood assets.
Even as rainfall begins to subside, rivers, wetlands and groundwater are expected to respond slowly to previous heavy rainfall, meaning water levels may continue to rise in some areas.
With more rain expected and fields already saturated, many rural areas now face the prospect of prolonged flooding and delays in spring workloads as efforts continue to limit further damage to land, livestock and rural infrastructure.
