COMMUNITIES around the River Meon are at risk from groundwater flooding following a very wet start to the year.

An orange flood alert has been raised for the upper Meon from East Meon to Soberton with more heavy rain expected this afternoon.

Over the last week more than half a month’s rainfall – 54mm – has fallen in Warnford while groundwater levels at Pound Lane have risen by 14 centimetres over the last 24 hours.

Parts of the road between West and East Meon have been submerged with groundwater levels likely to keep rising until the weekend.

An orange alert is also in place for the Western Rother from Liss to Hardham with water levels further expected to rise this afternoon.

Between 15 and 35mm of rain is possible with minor flooding likely to affect fields, rural roads and gardens in Liss, Sheet, Iping, Stedham and Midhurst.

Water levels around the Liss, Sheet and Rogate areas are expected to fall by the end of the week with drier, and colder, weather anticipated for the coming days.

Keep track on local flood warnings through https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/