Groundwater flooding alert issued for villages around Chichester
Residents are advised to be on alert with heavy rain in the forecast
Several villages to the north of Chichester have been advised to prepare for groundwater flooding at the end of this week.
The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert to those living in East Dean, West Dean, Singleton, Charlton and Chilgrove.
The authority has said that groundwater levels in the Lavant valley are very high close to the surface, with more heavy rain forecast to fall through Thursday (February 18th) and across the next few days.
Overpumping is already underway in East Dean and Charlton to reduce some of the worst impacts.
The Environment Agency has said:
"From Friday (January 19th) water is likely to have reached the top of our borehole in East Dean, and be very near the surface in all upper Lavant valley villages.
"Water will flow on roads & groundwater may be high enough to cause cellar flooding, or be close to floorboards in a few properties in East Dean, Charlton, Singleton and West Dean.
"High pressure from Saturday could bring drier weather into next week. However, high groundwater levels & associated impacts will remain into March.
"If you have pumps to help reduce groundwater levels in your property, please check they are working."
The alert will remain in place until at least Monday.