Cheltenham in Gloucestershire has faced an exceptionally wet winter, with local authorities taking new steps to monitor flood risks as the season ends. Recent figures show that southern parts of the country experienced 50 per cent more rain than usual, leaving the ground completely soaked and sensitive to any new downpours.
According to the Met Office, winter 2026 was the seventh wettest for Southern England since records began in 1836. This period of heavy rain was driven by four major storms named Bram, Goretti, Ingrid, and Chandra, which hit the region between December 2025 and February 2026.
To help manage the risk, Gloucestershire County Council installed new flood-monitoring sensors at key locations on 26 February 2026. These sensors are now active at Cirencester Road in Charlton Kings, St George’s Road, and Pittville Circus to provide real-time updates on water levels during heavy rain.
The Environment Agency has highlighted that groundwater flooding remains a concern as winter draws to a close, specifically in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. Local residents are advised to keep an eye on flood alerts for the River Chelt and nearby streams like Wymans Brook and Hatherley Brook before travelling or starting gardening work.
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