17th January 2023

CHERITON FLOOD ACTION GROUP
GROUNDWATER FLOOD ALERT ISSUED

In Bramdean and Cheriton, groundwater is high and rising. In the last 3 weeks, 175mm of rainfall has been recorded at Bishops Sutton. This is double the monthly average and is in addition to an extremely wet November 2022. In response to this, the Environment Agency issued a GROUNDWATER FLOOD ALERT on 17 th January. This warning means “groundwater flooding possible and be prepared” and is not to be confused with a FLOOD WARNING. Groundwater Flood Alerts predominantly affects properties with cellars (not that there are many in Cheriton) and non-tanked buildings with low floors.

Since the beginning of the year the groundwater has risen between 200 and 650mm per day. There is usually a 5 to 10-day delay between rainfall and a rise in groundwater, due to the time it takes for the rain to permeate through the chalk. River levels are initially high with run-off after heavy rain, then they drop away, but rise again as water is released from the chalk aquifers. If we have a dry period with anticyclonic weather, the high barometric pressure can ‘squeeze’ the chalklands, like pressure on wet sponge, and release even more water through the aquifers.

If you use pumps to help reduce water levels, please take this time to ensure they are operative. This Flood Alert will be updated by the EA on a regular basis at https://riverlevels.uk/flood-warning-groundwater-flooding-in-bramdean-and-cheriton#.YCvN8C2cai6 or simply Google search “Environment Agency Flood Alert Cheriton”.Please be advised there are “Industrial issues” at the EA and some of the
information on their webpages may not be up to date or totally blank. The Guagemap site is not affected.

The CFAG will display updates in the Village Shop, noticeboards, the Cheriton Parish Council website (cheritonparishcouncil.org.uk) and on the Cheriton Facebook page.

For the latest flood information and guidance pamphlets go to https://sites.google.com/view/groundwatergraphs or call the EA Floodline on 0345 988 1188 option 1 and enter Quickdial code 0122231. Alternatively, for the latest 6 hourly groundwater readings go to the GuageMap website at https://www.gaugemap.co.uk/#!Map/Summary/9138/4516 It is strongly recommended that all residents at risk, register with the EA for automated flood warnings at https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings 

Cheriton Flood Action Group
Pat Lawrence 771359, Peter Reay 771611 or CPC Cllr. Barry Frampton 771288