Groundwater situation: Sussex, 19 April 2024
Updated 19 April 2024
Applies to England
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Current situation
Above average rainfall has already been recorded in parts of Sussex in April 2024. More than twice the average rainfall was recorded in March and February 2024. Autumn 2023 was also extremely wet.
Groundwater levels rose in West Sussex at the beginning of April. While still high, groundwater is now falling at all of our indicator boreholes. Minor flood impacts are still occurring in parts of Sussex. Including water in fields, flowing on roads, and with a small number of properties affected close to the village green in Stoughton. The sewerage network in the Lavant Valley (West Dean, Singleton, Charlton, and East Dean) near Chichester remains affected.
Graph showing changes in groundwater levels in Compton Borehole in West Sussex from April 2022 to April 2024. The graph shows that groundwater levels are currently high but falling.
Graph showing changes in groundwater levels in Ladies Mile Borehole near Brighton from April 2022 to April 2024. The graph shows that groundwater levels are currently high but falling.
Weather forecast
High pressure is forecast for the week ahead, to the end of April. Only isolated showers or brief periods of light rain are forecast. Cumulative amounts of rain are forecast to remain very low.
Long term weather forecasting is extremely difficult. There remains uncertainty and predictions might change, but currently, high pressure, settled and dry weather are forecast for the first weeks of May 2024 too.
Forecast risk of flooding
We predict that groundwater should continue to slowly fall at all boreholes across Sussex. Possibly through to the autumn. Groundwater will initially not fall far, or fast, and minor groundwater flood impacts could persist through to May 2024 in Stoughton, Walderton, and perhaps June 2024 near Chichester.
We cannot accurately predict the weather weeks or months ahead. The exact groundwater response will depend on the amount, intensity and distribution of any rainfall that occurs. If we experience persistent or extremely large volumes of rainfall between now and June 2024, groundwater levels could rise again and groundwater flood impacts could affect communities for longer. However, with day length increasing, greater plant growth, and average rainfall amounts associated with spring being much smaller, groundwater rise should become less likely.
Next update
We will update this groundwater situation document by 17 May 2024, or sooner if the risk of groundwater flooding significantly increases. When in force, groundwater Flood Alerts are updated with information more frequently.
What we are doing
We continue to monitor groundwater levels and their response to rainfall.
Throughout autumn and winter, we will update this groundwater situation and our groundwater briefing notes.
We will issue and update flood alerts when there is risk of flooding affecting property.
We liaise with the local authority and other responding partners to ensure they are aware of the situation.
Our operational staff will remove blockages from main rivers to ensure they flow freely.
Actions and advice
Think and prepare now for what you’ll do if flooding occurs where you live. Do not wait until flooding happens.
Call Floodline on 0345 988 118 or visit check for flooding to find out if you can register to receive free flood alerts for flooding from groundwater.
Find out about:
- river, sea, groundwater and rainfall levels
- groundwater data
- practical advice on what to do before, during and after groundwater flooding
- groundwater flooding, how it might affect you and what to do
Prepare a personal flood plan or community flood plan to help you and your community decide what practical actions to take before and during a flood, which will help reduce the damage flooding could cause.
Check pumps and any other flood protection equipment you have. Ensure valuables are moved from basements and other low parts of properties.
Where safe to do so, communities may wish to check and ensure there are no blockages in local watercourses and ditches.
Further information
You can read:
- daily groundwater levels compared to average and maximum, with indicative impact thresholds
- sub daily groundwater levels on Gaugemap
- the latest flood alert information
- water situation reports
More detailed groundwater briefing notes are emailed as part of the flood alert service. Register for groundwater situation updates by email at ssdenquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Contacts
For more information on the flood alert service and to find out what messages you are registered to receive, call Floodline on 0345 988 118.
Alternatively, you can contact the Environment Agency for more information:
- customers and engagement: ssdenquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
- incident reporting hotline: 0800 807060
- national customer contact centre: 03708 506 506
If you have any questions, email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.