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More homes evacuated amid floods More homes evacuated amid floods
(about 1 hour later)
About 250 homes have been evacuated in Oxford as the city became the latest area to be hit by flooding.About 250 homes have been evacuated in Oxford as the city became the latest area to be hit by flooding.
People in the Botley area were moved overnight as emergency teams also worked to protect a power substation, after the Thames burst its banks.People in the Botley area were moved overnight as emergency teams also worked to protect a power substation, after the Thames burst its banks.
Berkshire is braced for possible flooding later as the Thames has yet to peak in places including Reading.Berkshire is braced for possible flooding later as the Thames has yet to peak in places including Reading.
Meanwhile, an operation has been taking place to get water to 350,000 people in Gloucestershire without tap supplies.Meanwhile, an operation has been taking place to get water to 350,000 people in Gloucestershire without tap supplies.
Refused to moveRefused to move
The Environment Agency still has six severe flood warnings in place - three on the Severn - in Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Worcester - two on the Thames around Oxford, and one on the Ock, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire.The Environment Agency still has six severe flood warnings in place - three on the Severn - in Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Worcester - two on the Thames around Oxford, and one on the Ock, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire.
Water levels in the Thames around Oxford rose throughout the night and are expected to peak later.Water levels in the Thames around Oxford rose throughout the night and are expected to peak later.
See map of severe flood warnings See map of severe flood warnings
Oxfordshire's chief emergency planner John Kelly said there had been no forced evacuation in Oxford, and some people had refused to move.Oxfordshire's chief emergency planner John Kelly said there had been no forced evacuation in Oxford, and some people had refused to move.
Please extend my sympathy to all the many people whose homes have been damaged, livelihoods threatened, or who have been affected by the water and power shortages. The Queen's message of supportPlease extend my sympathy to all the many people whose homes have been damaged, livelihoods threatened, or who have been affected by the water and power shortages. The Queen's message of support
Some of those evacuated were expected to go to Oxford United Football Club's Kassam stadium.Some of those evacuated were expected to go to Oxford United Football Club's Kassam stadium.
The Environment Agency's Robert Runcie said it was not the Thames itself causing the problems in Oxford, but the tributaries flowing into it and creating the higher levels.The Environment Agency's Robert Runcie said it was not the Thames itself causing the problems in Oxford, but the tributaries flowing into it and creating the higher levels.
"Our priority is to keep the water levels down and to minimise the damage that will otherwise occur to people and property.""Our priority is to keep the water levels down and to minimise the damage that will otherwise occur to people and property."
Water covered the pitch at Abingdon Town FC in Oxfordshire Floods: At-a-glance Water operation nerve centre href="/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/6913075.stm">Twins die after flood rescue href="/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/6913267.stm">Gloucestershire water crisis Water covered the pitch at Abingdon Town FC in Oxfordshire Floods: At-a-glance Water operation nerve centre href="/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/6914954.stm">New alert in Cambridgeshire href="/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/6914945.stm">Oxford homes flooded
The Osney Mead substation supplies power to Oxford city centre, although Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said supplies to some business premises had already been re-routed.The Osney Mead substation supplies power to Oxford city centre, although Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said supplies to some business premises had already been re-routed.
The service's John Lloyd 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 service's John Lloyd 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.
"It's starting to affect areas which haven't been affected before and in particular one electrical substation which does control a lot of the power to some of the more essential premises, for example the hospitals.""It's starting to affect areas which haven't been affected before and in particular one electrical substation which does control a lot of the power to some of the more essential premises, for example the hospitals."
However, Thames Valley Police said the substation was not under "immediate risk".However, Thames Valley Police said the substation was not under "immediate risk".
There was a call on Wednesday for the government to seek money from the EU to help cover costs arising from the floods.There was a call on Wednesday for the government to seek money from the EU to help cover costs arising from the floods.
Conservative MEP for the South West Neil Parish said: "There is a solidarity fund that is set up for disasters and of course many countries including Greece and Sweden in 2005 had 82m euros from the fund.Conservative MEP for the South West Neil Parish said: "There is a solidarity fund that is set up for disasters and of course many countries including Greece and Sweden in 2005 had 82m euros from the fund.
"There's money available to restore the infrastructure for drinking water, transport, telecommunications, health and education.""There's money available to restore the infrastructure for drinking water, transport, telecommunications, health and education."
In developments on Tuesday:In developments on Tuesday:
  • Emergency services battled to deliver bottled water supplies to 350,000 people across Gloucestershire who have been without running water since Sunday.
  • Emergency services battled to deliver bottled water supplies to 350,000 people across Gloucestershire who have been without running water since Sunday.
  • Environment Secretary Hilary Benn warned that the emergency was "still not over" and pledged an extra £10m to the current £14m available to local authorities to aid recovery.
  • Environment Secretary Hilary Benn warned that the emergency was "still not over" and pledged an extra £10m to the current £14m available to local authorities to aid recovery.
  • The Queen sent her sympathies to all those affected, saying she was "shocked and deeply concerned" by the devastation caused.
  • The Queen sent her sympathies to all those affected, saying she was "shocked and deeply concerned" by the devastation caused.
  • Up to 48,000 homes in Gloucester had their power restored following repairs to the flooded Castlemeads electricity substation.
  • Up to 48,000 homes in Gloucester had their power restored following repairs to the flooded Castlemeads electricity substation.
  • The Red Cross launched an appeal to raise money to help the thousands of people affected by the crisis.
  • The Red Cross launched an appeal to raise money to help the thousands of people affected by the crisis.
    • 'Really worried''Really worried'
    The Army is involved in the water distribution operation in Gloucestershire, delivering three million bottles of water a day from Cheltenham racecourse.The Army is involved in the water distribution operation in Gloucestershire, delivering three million bottles of water a day from Cheltenham racecourse.
    HAVE YOUR SAY We must now look at proper regional controls and answers for surface water problems Ted Smith, Worcester Send us your experiencesHAVE YOUR SAY We must now look at proper regional controls and answers for surface water problems Ted Smith, Worcester Send us your experiences
    Gloucestershire County Council chief executive Peter Bungard said: "I'm really, really worried - 350,000 people is hard to imagine, and amongst those are very vulnerable people."Gloucestershire County Council chief executive Peter Bungard said: "I'm really, really worried - 350,000 people is hard to imagine, and amongst those are very vulnerable people."
    Gloucestershire's Chief Constable Tim Brain said normal supplies might not be restored for up to 14 days but advised people to remain calm as there was enough water for everyone.Gloucestershire's Chief Constable Tim Brain said normal supplies might not be restored for up to 14 days but advised people to remain calm as there was enough water for everyone.
    Water levels of both the Severn and Thames have exceeded in some areas those of devastating floods in 1947.Water levels of both the Severn and Thames have exceeded in some areas those of devastating floods in 1947.
    Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188
    SEVERE FLOOD WARNINGS IN PLACE The Severn: Severe warnings for Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Worcester The Thames: Severe warnings affecting Eynsham to Sandford Lock and also Little WittenhamThe Ock: Severe warnings from Charney Bassett to Abingdon SEVERE FLOOD WARNINGS IN PLACE The Severn: Severe warnings for Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Worcester The Thames: Severe warnings affecting Eynsham to Sandford Lock and also Little WittenhamThe Ock: Severe warnings from Charney Bassett to Abingdon
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