Storm Bert: Flooding across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire leaves roads and schools closed

  • Areas have been heavily flooded including in Witney where one person paddled a canoe down the road

There is flooding across parts of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire today, in the wake of Storm Bert.

Oxfordshire County Council is reporting that river levels in Oxfordshire are at very high levels as a result of persistent heavy rainfall associated with Storm Bert.

There are large numbers of both Environment Agency flood alerts and flood warnings in place.

The Environment Agency has issued 20 flood warnings and 32 flood alerts in Oxfordshire Credit: Environment Agency

Fire crews, highway teams and emergency planners were active throughout the weekend assisting communities experiencing flooding impacts.

Parts of Buckinghamshire have been heavily flooded including this housing complex in Buckingham.

  • Flooding in a housing complex in Buckingham

People are reminded of the hazards of driving into floodwater and the risk of creating bow-waves that run into adjacent properties when this occurs.

Around 350,000 homes in England lost power during the storm, though most have since been reconnected.

  • Flooding in Didcot from Maddi Robinson

Banbury bus station has been closed due to flooding. Stagecoach is running services from Bridge Street and says a number of services have been cancelled.

There's disruption to rail services. Great Western Railway is reporting suspensions due to flooding and fallen trees.

Chiltern Railways says that due to heavy rain flooding the railway at Banbury, trains have to run at reduced speed on some lines.

Southern, said some services on Monday will be cancelled or revised because of forecast severe weather, including on its London network and the West Coastway between Havant and Southampton.

Flooding at Buttercross Lane in Witney Credit: Alice Janssen

Southwestern Railway said all lines between Fareham and Southampton Central have now reopened after the removal of a tree.

SCHOOL CLOSURES

At least seven schools across Oxfordshire have said they will be closed today due to flooding.

  • Bloxham Church of England Primary School

  • Clanfield CofE Primary School

  • Cropredy Church of England Primary School

  • St James Church of England Primary School, Hanney

  • St Michaels CofE Primary School, Steventon Village

  • Woodeaton Manor School

  • Wykham Park

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