On February 19, 2026, the official flood risk for Poole, Dorset, was raised from very low to low as local authorities issued several warnings for the area. The Environment Agency and the Met Office confirmed that flooding is expected in some parts of the town due to heavy rain and blocked drains.
There are currently three flood warnings in place where flooding is expected, along with six flood alerts in the wider region where flooding is possible. Officials from the Environment Agency stated that runoff from rainfall is likely to flood low-lying land, gardens, and roads.
Residents and drivers in coastal and riverside areas are encouraged to check for updates and use protection such as sandbags in high-risk zones. The area from Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill is currently the last part of the town centre waterfront without permanent defences, making it more vulnerable to surface water.
This increase in risk comes while BCP Council continues work on a 29.4 million pound flood defence project. While work to raise the road levels near the RNLI buildings was finished in 2025, major engineering tasks for the rest of the quay were moved to 2026 and are currently underway.
The Environment Agency has previously noted that groundwater levels in the county have reached record highs. These high levels make it more difficult for surface water to drain away after heavy rainfall, which increases the chance of local flooding.
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