The Environment Agency issued a flood alert for the TN29 Romney Marsh area in the Folkestone and Hythe district of Kent on February 19, 2026, after raising the local risk level from very low to low. This change means that low-lying fields and small roads are now at risk of flooding from surface water or blocked drains.
The alert was issued early this morning as ground conditions reached a point where more rain could lead to runoff. Landowners and farmers in the area are being told to keep an eye on rainfall readings and check that drainage systems are working properly.
Much of the local landscape is reclaimed land that sits below sea level and relies on a complex drainage network. The Romney Marshes Area Internal Drainage Board looks after more than 350km of watercourses and a network of pumping stations to help keep the land dry.
Advice from the National Farmers’ Union suggests moving livestock and equipment to higher ground to prevent damage. They also suggest that farmers should not use heavy machinery on waterlogged soil to avoid getting stuck or damaging the earth.
If fields stay underwater for too long, crops can rot and machinery can become difficult to move. Residents and business owners are encouraged to secure fuel tanks and chemicals to stop any leaks if the water continues to rise.
