The Environment Agency has issued flood alerts for the River Wear estuary and the Tyne and Wear coast, affecting Washington, Tyne and Wear, following several days of heavy rain on 6 February 2026. While the most serious warnings were downgraded late on 5 February, river levels remain very high and officials warn that low-lying land and some roads are likely to flood.
The situation is being compounded by a high spring tide at the coast that is causing “tidal locking” — preventing the River Wear from draining to sea and forcing water back into low-lying areas such as Fatfield and Mount Pleasant. The Met Office says the heaviest rain has now eased to lighter showers, but saturated ground means levels will fall only slowly.
Sunderland City Council says Riverside Park is already partly underwater and has urged people to stay away from river banks because currents are strong and banks can be slippery and unstable. Some crowdsourced reports indicate access roads near the WWT Washington Wetland Centre are difficult to pass; the council is monitoring the safety of the B1289 (Bonemill Lane) and nearby bridge infrastructure.
The Environment Agency is operating flood defences and remains on alert. Local riverside businesses, including those near Fatfield Bridge, have a history of using flood boards and sandbags during events like this; it has not yet been independently confirmed whether they have been deployed in this incident.
