Floods: Warnings downgraded (From Witney Gazette)

Floods: Warnings downgraded

2:34pm Monday 21st January 2008 in Headlines By Thom Airs

THE Environment Agency said this afternoon it expected no more flooding of property in Oxfordshire and downgraded its flood alerts.

All flood warnings on the county's rivers have been reduced to flood watches, meaning only low-lying roads and fields are now at risk.

However, the agency warned people to stay vigilant, as the level of the River Thames and its tributaries could remain high until the end of the week.

Four houses in South Hinksey are believed to have been flooded, but the agency received no reports of the River Thames damaging properties in Oxford.

Water pumps will remain on stand-by around the Bulstake Stream, in the west of the city, although there are no reports of flooded houses in the area.

Pumps will also stay in Duke Street and Earl Street overnight.

The agency said the River Thames at Henley was continuing to rise very slowly, but said it did not expect properties to be affected.

Flood watches are still in force on the rivers Thame, Ray, Windrush, Cherwell, Thames and Ock.