In Pictures: High water levels seen in the River Lavant and River Rother as flood warnings issued

The water levels have remained high after heavy and persistent rainfall during the opening days of 2023.

As of Tuesday, January 10 flood warnings issued by the Environment Agency (EA) remain in place for the upstream of the River Lavant around West Dean and Stoughton.

In a statement the Environment Agency said: “Minor groundwater flood impacts are expected to continue, with springs appearing, water flowing on roads and water seeping into basements or under floorboards of properties in East Dean, Charlton, Singleton and West Dean. It is probable that groundwater will impact the ability of the sewage network to operate. Persistent and heavy rain is forecast Thursday, January 12. With showers Wednesday and Friday, and continuing unsettled through next week. Groundwater is expected to continue to slowly rise over the coming week, and potentially throughout all of January 2023, as some forecasts suggest unsettled weather could continue.

The Upper River Ems Valley has also received an updated flood warning.

The EA said: “Minor groundwater flood impacts are expected to continue, with springs and minor flooding affecting fields, the village green Stoughton, and rural roads including Stoughton main road, the road from East Marden and also between Cooks Lane and The Barley Mow, and the B2146 near Woodlands Lane, in Walderton. Persistent and heavy rain is forecast Thursday, January 12. If as much rain falls as predicted, groundwater is expected to continue to slowly rise until at least January 17. By that time, groundwater levels could be close to the peak of March 2020. Some forecasts suggest unsettled weather could continue until late January 2023.

The flood warning also remains in place for the River Rother as well.

The Environment Agency said: “The Western Rother is high and rising between Lodsbridge and Fittleworth. Flooding will continue to affect fields, rural roads, gardens and be very close to properties at Lodsbridge, near Selham and at Fittleworth. Between Liss and Midhurst, river levels are now slowly falling. However, very wet days are currently forecast for Tuesday and Thursday, which could bring risk of property flooding along the whole of the Western Rother. River levels might not return to normal until the week of January 16.