Oxfordshire and Berkshire Residents Advised to Prepare for Further Flooding

Properties across Oxfordshire and Berkshire continue to face a risk of flooding. High winds and rainfall associated with Storm Bert have caused significant disruption to homes, roadways, and rail services. Additional rainfall is anticipated on Tuesday and Wednesday. Environment Secretary Steve Reed indicated that more flooding is probable this week, though he expects it to be “less severe” than on Sunday. Great Western Railway (GWR) reported that while most trains were operational on its network on Tuesday, customers were advised to complete their journeys by 19:00 GMT. The Environment Agency (EA) has issued over 100 warnings and more than 120 flood alerts throughout England. On Tuesday, flooding in Oxfordshire led to the closure of seven schools, including those in Banbury, East Hanney, and Abingdon. The Tesco Extra store in Abingdon also shut down due to inundation. The EA stated that water levels would be elevated because of heavy rainfall along the River Thames, particularly around New Hinksey, North Hinksey, South Hinksey, and Grandpont in Oxford. The agency also anticipates a risk of flooding along the River Cherwell, encompassing areas such as Lower Heyford and Kidlington. A warning remains in effect for the River Kennet, covering the stretch between Theale and Reading. GWR recommends that passengers check its website before traveling on several key routes. The railway operator noted that reduced train services are running from Newbury station, which was closed by flooding on Monday, but some platforms remain inaccessible. The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that flood alerts were in place in the county and advised motorists to avoid driving through floodwater. The Met Office announced its intention to conduct a comprehensive assessment of Storm Bert, but stated that it had been “well forecast” in advance, with numerous warnings issued. A Didcot resident, whose property experienced flooding for the second time in months, previously informed the BBC that he felt “frazzled” and “frustrated”. BBC Berkshire can be followed on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Information regarding its approach to external linking is available.