Floods: Three people evacuated (From Witney Gazette)

Floods: Three people evacuated

2:54pm Saturday 19th January 2008 in Witney By Chris Kearney

THREE people were evacuated from a caravan park in Bablockhythe last night as water levels rose.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Services has now said the area is the focus point for flooding in the county, as roads running into the area have also had to be closed off.

Francis Eckersley, of Oxfordshire County Council's Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Bablockhythe is a new area of focus for agencies.

"Three people had to be evacuated last night as a precautionary measure."

One of the people evacuated has had to be taken into social care as they were bedridden at the time.

Mr Eckersley added: "Elsewhere we continue to very closely monitor the Osney and Botley Road area of Oxford and The Mill area of Abingdon."

'Quite apart from the river levels being very high, waters are very fast flowing and dangerous. The message is simple: stay away from rivers'

Francis Eckersley, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service

Mr Eckersley added officials had been encouraged by the news that rainfall in the coming days was expected to be low, with levels along the River Thames believed to have reached their peak.

He also confirmed another command meeting of emergency planners would take place tomorrow.

However he was still urging people to stay away from rivers.

He said: "Some people risked their lives by jumping into the river in Oxford yesterday and we have had reports of rowing crews on the Thames in Henley.

"Quite apart from the river levels being very high, waters are very fast flowing and dangerous. The message is simple: stay away from rivers."