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Crews pump out power substation | Crews pump out power substation |
(20 minutes later) | |
Water is flooding into homes in the west of Oxford while fire crews are continuing to pump out a substation supplying the city centre with power. | Water is flooding into homes in the west of Oxford while fire crews are continuing to pump out a substation supplying the city centre with power. |
Power to some businesses served by the Osney Mead substation has already been re-routed while levels on the River Thames will peak later on Wednesday. | Power to some businesses served by the Osney Mead substation has already been re-routed while levels on the River Thames will peak later on Wednesday. |
In Abingdon 570 homes have been flooded according to the Environment Agency. | In Abingdon 570 homes have been flooded according to the Environment Agency. |
The bad weather had led to some 3,000 properties being flooded and more than 600 people being led to safety. | The bad weather had led to some 3,000 properties being flooded and more than 600 people being led to safety. |
Three severe flood warnings remain in place - one on the River Ock in Oxfordshire and two on the River Thames. | Three severe flood warnings remain in place - one on the River Ock in Oxfordshire and two on the River Thames. |
John Lloyd, of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We've got a steady but constant rise of flood water levels within Oxford city centre particularly on the western side of the city." | John Lloyd, of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We've got a steady but constant rise of flood water levels within Oxford city centre particularly on the western side of the city." |
The electricity substation in the area controlled power to a number of essential businesses including hospitals, said Mr Lloyd. | The electricity substation in the area controlled power to a number of essential businesses including hospitals, said Mr Lloyd. |
The police are leafleting an area of Henley that may flood Oxfordshire County Council | The police are leafleting an area of Henley that may flood Oxfordshire County Council |
Liasing with the SEB electrical company "we are likely to loose supply at some stage tomorrow from that substation which will obviously have a significant effect on a number of properties within Oxford city centre itself," he added. | Liasing with the SEB electrical company "we are likely to loose supply at some stage tomorrow from that substation which will obviously have a significant effect on a number of properties within Oxford city centre itself," he added. |
In preparation for rivers bursting their banks, thousands of sandbags were delivered to households across the county. | In preparation for rivers bursting their banks, thousands of sandbags were delivered to households across the county. |
Oxfordshire fire chiefs have divided the county into 11 areas where firefighters will assess local situations. | Oxfordshire fire chiefs have divided the county into 11 areas where firefighters will assess local situations. |
Roads 'impassable' | Roads 'impassable' |
John Kelly, Oxfordshire's chief emergency planner, said about 250 people were being moved from the Botley area of Oxford. | |
An Oxfordshire County Council spokeswoman said: "Strategic planning remains in place for Oxford and Abingdon and the fire and rescue service will recommit resources here if necessary. | An Oxfordshire County Council spokeswoman said: "Strategic planning remains in place for Oxford and Abingdon and the fire and rescue service will recommit resources here if necessary. |
"However, the police are leafleting an area of Henley that may flood and the fire service is putting in resources to meet any potential life-threatening incidents from Abingdon south to the Henley area. | "However, the police are leafleting an area of Henley that may flood and the fire service is putting in resources to meet any potential life-threatening incidents from Abingdon south to the Henley area. |
"They won't be able to start pumping water away from homes in the south of the county until after the water levels have subsided." | "They won't be able to start pumping water away from homes in the south of the county until after the water levels have subsided." |
The pumping out operation is also expected to take place in Banbury and Standlake. | The pumping out operation is also expected to take place in Banbury and Standlake. |
Main roads through Witney are now open but nearby Spring Lane in Crawley is said to be "impassable" still. | Main roads through Witney are now open but nearby Spring Lane in Crawley is said to be "impassable" still. |
In Minster Lovell water levels are around seven or eight inches (17cm) but traffic is able to get through and there are no closures, the council spokeswoman added. | In Minster Lovell water levels are around seven or eight inches (17cm) but traffic is able to get through and there are no closures, the council spokeswoman added. |
Makeshift refuge | Makeshift refuge |
Thames Valley Police and the fire and rescue service are concentrating efforts on Henley and Wallingford. | Thames Valley Police and the fire and rescue service are concentrating efforts on Henley and Wallingford. |
At this stage, it is thought that only a few homes may flood in Wallingford. | At this stage, it is thought that only a few homes may flood in Wallingford. |
Keith Wheal, head of the Oxfordshire County Council Countryside Service, said: "We would like to warn people to stay away from river and canal towpaths until water levels have significantly dropped. " | Keith Wheal, head of the Oxfordshire County Council Countryside Service, said: "We would like to warn people to stay away from river and canal towpaths until water levels have significantly dropped. " |
Sandbags have been made available in Bridge End car park in Dorchester, Kings Road car park in Henley and a further delivery of 60 tons of sand is expected in Henley. | Sandbags have been made available in Bridge End car park in Dorchester, Kings Road car park in Henley and a further delivery of 60 tons of sand is expected in Henley. |
Over the weekend, the county council also transformed the Kassam Stadium into a makeshift centre ready to house up to 1,500 people if Oxford floods. | Over the weekend, the county council also transformed the Kassam Stadium into a makeshift centre ready to house up to 1,500 people if Oxford floods. |
Seventy people are still there and these include 11 people who were moved from Meadow View Care Home in Standlake on Monday. | Seventy people are still there and these include 11 people who were moved from Meadow View Care Home in Standlake on Monday. |
Many primary schools were also forced to shut early for the summer holidays because of the threat of flooding and 12 roads were closed. | Many primary schools were also forced to shut early for the summer holidays because of the threat of flooding and 12 roads were closed. |
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