Cheltenham Flood Warnings
Live flood warnings, river levels and rainfall for Cheltenham and Gloucestershire, sourced from the Environment Agency.
About Flood Warnings for Cheltenham and Gloucestershire
This page publishes live flood warnings and flood alerts for Cheltenham and the wider Gloucestershire area, sourced from the Environment Agency flood warning service and republished here as an RSS feed.
When the Environment Agency has issued a warning that affects Gloucestershire, it appears in the list above. When the list is empty, there are no active flood warnings or alerts in force for the area — which is common during drier periods and through the summer months.
Cheltenham sits in a low-lying part of the Severn Vale and has a history of surface-water and river flooding, most notably during the summer 2007 floods, which are covered on our 2007 floods page. Local watercourses including the River Chelt, along with the Severn and Avon catchments across Gloucestershire, are the main sources of flood risk in the area, and our flood zones map shows the land the Environment Agency puts at risk of river flooding. Risk is highest during prolonged or heavy rainfall, particularly in autumn and winter. Live river levels and rainfall from the Environment Agency’s gauges around the town are further down this page, after the latest flood alerts.
For the state of the River Chelt itself day-to-day, see our sewage overflow status and river water quality pages. If it’s a power cut rather than a flood you’re checking, see Cheltenham power cuts.
How to Check Your Flood Risk and Stay Informed
- Check the live flood warning map and sign up for free flood warnings by phone, text, or email at gov.uk/check-flood-risk.
- During a flood emergency where there is a risk to life, call 999.
- To report flooding, a blocked drain, or a burst water main that is not an immediate emergency, contact Gloucestershire County Council or your water company.
- Subscribe to this page’s RSS feed to receive Gloucestershire flood updates as they are published in your RSS/Feed reader or check this page.
- Past warnings, including once they’ve been lifted, are kept on the flood warning history page.
Preparing for a Flood
If flooding is expected in your area, move valuables and electrical items upstairs or to a safe height, prepare a bag with essential documents and medication, and avoid walking or driving through flood water — just 30 cm of moving water can move a vehicle. Follow instructions from emergency services and the Environment Agency.
Latest Flood Alerts
No current flood warnings reports in this area
River Levels and Rainfall
Live readings from the Environment Agency's 10 river level gauges on the River Chelt and its brooks in and around Cheltenham, and 3 nearby rainfall gauges. Right now 7 of the 10 river gauges are within their typical range and 1 is above it. Readings are refreshed every couple of hours and are shown in UTC.
River Level Gauges
River Chelt: the Last 48 Hours
Brooks: the Last 48 Hours
Daily Peak River Levels
Rainfall Gauges
Data from the Environment Agency flood monitoring API, published under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Checked every two hours. Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does the Typical Range Mean?
- The Environment Agency publishes a typical range for each gauge, the band the river normally sits in. A level above it does not mean flooding, but it does mean the river is higher than usual, often after rain.
What Is the Highest on Record?
- The highest level each gauge has ever recorded. Several of the gauges on the River Chelt and Hatherley Brook hold their record from the floods of June and July 2007, which are covered on our 2007 floods page.
Why Are Some Levels Close to Zero?
- Levels are measured from each gauge's own zero point, not from sea level, and small streams can run very low in dry weather. Compare a reading with its own typical range rather than with other gauges.
How Often Is It Updated?
- The gauges take a reading every 15 minutes. This page is refreshed every couple of hours, so for a fast-moving situation check the Environment Agency's live service.