FLOOD warnings remain in place in parts of Oxfordshire today.

Rainfall and gusts of wind overnight mean several flooded areas are still under water, while a number of roads remain closed.

Yet the Thames appears to be falling back in places, and the county is not expected to face storms of the severity expected in the north of the country today.

A flood warning is still in place today for a stretch along the Thames in West Oxfordshire from Buscot Wick down to Shifford, including Buscot, Kelmscott, Radcot, the Lower Bampton area and the area around Chimney.

However, parts of the river there are starting to fall.

A statement from the Environment Agency last night said: "The River Thames remains very high, but is starting to fall slowly in the Buscot area. 

"The River Thames also remains very high but stable in the Rushey, Radcot and Shifford Lock areas.

"The river remains responsive to any further rainfall."

In the south-east of the county, a flood warning remains in place on the River Thames from Shiplake to Bolney Court near Henley, including Lower Shiplake and Wargrave.

The Environment Agency said this morning that flooding of properties near to the river was expected, and said the Thames is still set to rise there.

A total of 57 homes had still been without power there yesterday, but last night Southern Electric said power had finally been restored to all homes in the county affected by the flooding.

A flood alert is also in place for the River Cherwell and its tributaries from Lower Heyford down to Oxford, including Rousham, Enslow, Thrupp and Hampton Poyle.

The Environment Agency said in a statement issued last night: "The River Cherwell remains very high, particularly in the Thrupp and Kings Mill area. However, levels are now starting to fall along the length of the Cherwell. The river remains in the floodplain in many places."

Oatlands Recreation Ground in Oxford remains flooded today.

 

Witney Gazette:

 

Gusts of almost 40mph are expected to blow across the county during the day, but should die down in the late afternoon.

The Met Office says that any rain will clear during the morning to leave a windy afternoon of sunshine and the odd showers.

Many places are expected to stay dry and any showers that come along will move through quickly. 

Tonight, winds will ease and it will be mostly dry, while Saturday should see lighter winds with a few showers. 

Oxfordshire County Council officials are warning people to careful.

Emergency planning officer Bethan Morgan said: “The wet and windy weather was the last thing people wanted before the Christmas holidays. River levels remain high and we would urge people to slow down and take extra care where there is standing water on the roads. If in any doubt, never drive through flood water.”

The council says the following roads remain shut:

- A417 –Wantage Road jct Silver Lane – Signed diversion via A338 and A420.
- Ascot Under Wychwood - Shipton Road
- Islip - Lower Road
- Bicester - Mallards Way
- Barford St Michael - Lower Street, road closed due to flooding
- Wendlebury – Main Street/Church Street, road closed due to flooding to highway
- Denchworth - Brook Lane
- Cropredy to Wardington (under railway bridge)

In Abingdon, Kennington Road remains closed due to fallen power cables around Sugworth Lane.

In West Challow, near Grove, floodwater remains that is still keeping the A417 shut there around Silver Lane.

On the railway lines, First Great Western services have resumed after the Christmas break, although there are delays of up to 20 minutes between Reading and Paddington because of engineering works.

For full details on flood alerts, visit environment-agency.gov.uk