Residents in Fleet, Hampshire, should prepare for a wet and windy weekend as the Met Office forecasts persistent rain and wind gusts reaching around 27 mph beginning on Saturday, 7 February 2026. The combination of sustained rain and high river levels means many outdoor areas could become difficult to access over the weekend.
The Environment Agency has a Flood Alert in place for the River Blackwater and The Cove Brook, warning that flooding of riverside paths and low-lying roads is possible. (Environment Agency alert updated 13:40 GMT on 5 February 2026.) With further rain expected, the agency says river levels are likely to remain high over the next few days.
Hydrological data from RiverLevels.uk showed the River Blackwater at Blackwater Bridge at 1.920 m at 07:00 GMT on Friday 6 February — within the usual range for the site (about 1.05–2.00 m) and close to the top of that range. At those levels the river could spill into its natural floodplain, affecting riverside walking trails and low-lying roads near Fleet Brook and other local watercourses; these routes may become impassable if levels rise further, particularly during the heaviest rain expected on Saturday afternoon.
While gusts around 27 mph are below Met Office thresholds for a wind warning, Met Office guidance (Beaufort scale) describes this as a ‘strong breeze’ that can make using an umbrella difficult and set large branches in motion. The reporter’s briefing also notes that saturated soils can make shallow‑rooted trees or branches unstable even in moderate winds, increasing the risk of falling branches.
Local authorities, including Hampshire County Council (the Lead Local Flood Authority), are monitoring the situation. Residents are advised to report blocked drains and check for travel updates before heading out over the weekend. For live information, consult the Environment Agency flood warnings page, the Met Office forecast, and Hampshire County Council travel/highways updates.
