Record winter rain risks Groundwater flooding in UK

Stark new analysis is warning that parts of the UK could, for months, be at risk of groundwater flooding due to the record rainfall experienced so far in 2026.

Caused when water underground rises to the surface, groundwater flooding is difficult to predict and can have devastating effects on homes and businesses, especially as the flooding can last weeks or even months.

Latest official figures from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) show rivers in the south and southwest of England reached exceptionally high levels in January, while the Environment Agency (EA) has also warned of a significant risk of groundwater flooding that could persist for months.

In an article for Sky News, Professor Hannah Cloke of Reading University explains that “Groundwater flooding is invisible. It comes up through the floorboards. It seeps out in the middle of the night, and people aren’t expecting it.

“It’s not like you’re living near to a river, and you expect that flooding. So it can be very serious. It can take people by surprise.  And it is very persistent. It can last for a long time. So this could last for months in some of these places.”