River flooding concerns for families in Washington, Tyne and Wear, have eased today as water levels on the River Wear returned to the Environment Agency’s ‘Normal’ range.
The Environment Agency recorded the river height at 0.75 metres at 9:45 AM on 27 January 2026. This reading is well within the usual range of 0.25 to 2.20 metres and the station is currently classified as ‘Normal’, indicating the water is staying within its banks for now.
Data from RiverLevels.uk and the Environment Agency show that flooding of low-lying land and roads is possible once levels rise above about 2.20 metres. The Environment Agency notes property flooding is possible above around 3.25 metres — substantially higher than the current measurement.
The Met Office has forecast further heavy rain and strong wind gusts for the North East through the rest of the week. With ground conditions already wet in parts of the region, additional rainfall could cause river levels to rise quickly; residents should continue to watch for local flood updates and weather warnings.
Sunderland City Council says it manages drainage assets and asks residents to report blocked drains, culvert screens or other blockages. Residents are also encouraged to sign up for Environment Agency flood alerts and follow local updates while the weather remains unpredictable.
Because the Lower Wear is influenced by tidal conditions, river levels in Washington can also be affected by high tides; people in riverside areas should cross-check river readings with local tidal information (for example, Sunderland Port) as well as flood alerts.
