7:25pm Wednesday 16th January 2008
By Tim Hobden
THE Environment Agency has warned that properties in West Oxford could flood tonight.
Officers have also said the Osney area could be flooded by Friday as the River Thames takes the strain from the heavy rain.
The Environment Agency is expecting similar levels of flooding to hit Oxford as the floods that hit the city in December 2000.
Preparation work was going ahead in streets off Botley Road tonight and sandbag supplies have arrived.
Geoff Bell, flood risk area manager for the agency, said: "We are expecting similar levels to 2000.
"It could be tens of properties in Oxford in the next few days."
Mr Bell said the agency had handed out several hundred leaflets warning people of the danger of flooding in the New Botley, Osney Island and Wolvercote areas of Oxford.
He said: "We believe it is quite likely that some flooding will occur in New Botley and it could start as early as 10pm tonight.
"The River Thames is not at its highest level. It will continue to rise slowly and steadily for the next couple of days."
The agency has also warned flooding may occur in the Osney area some time during Friday.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer David Etheridge said: "Following the close working and advice from the Environment Agency concerning flood prediction and further rainfall we are clearly, at this stage, dealing with a more predictable set of circumstances than we had in July 2007.
"There is a fantastic team effort under way to ensure that the properties which may be flooded are being personally contacted and face-to-face advice given concerning their protection."
Rivers across the Thames region remain high and with more rain forecast this week the Environment Agency is urging people to take action where necessary.
There are five flood warnings in the Thames region affecting the River Thames and River Cole in Wiltshire and Oxfordshire, and the River Ray and River Thame in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
The Flood Warning on the Thames today includes the stretch from Lechlade to Eynsham which could affect properties in Buscot, Kelmscott, Radcot, Newbridge, Northmoor, Bablockhythe and Stanton Harcourt.
Mr Bell said: "We are asking people to move precious possessions upstairs and collect the sandbags.
"These are provided by Oxford City Council from Vicarage Road, Bullstake Close and PC World on Botley Road to protect the exterior of their properties.
"Flooding is not expected to be as severe as in July 2007. The Environment Agency will be deploying pumps to areas in need as required."
Elsewhere in Oxfordshire many areas are under flood watch, and the River Thames, from Eynsham Lock, in Eynsham to Sandford Lock, in Sandford-on-Thames has been upgraded to a flood warning.
A statement from the Environment Agency said: "Levels on the Thames will continue to rise over the next 24 to 48 hours at the very minimum.
"It is believed that property flooding could occur from the Bullstake Stream in the New Botley area during tonight.
"The levels on the Thames will continue to slowly rise and we believe that properties in the Osney area could start to flood some time during the day on Friday.
"Residents and businesses in Osney, Wolvercote and New Hinksey are also asked to remain vigilant as property flooding may occur in these areas later in the week.
"Updates will be provided regularly by the Environment Agency, and a letter drop has been carried out warning residents in the area.
"Weather outlook for the rest of today is expected to be dry with occasional showers, with more blustery wind and rain expected later in the week. Rainfall totals forecast for Thursday are between 2mm to 5mm."
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