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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 move | Refused 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 support | 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 support |
| Around 30 people went to a shelter set up at Oxford United Football Club's Kassam stadium while another 250 decided to stay with family and friends. | |
| Those who stayed in their homes told how water began flowing in at about 0300 BST. | |
| Angela MacKeith, 61, said: "We are under 2ft of water throughout the house. | |
| "The awful thing is that this time last year we were in the same situation after a flash flood. | |
| "It appeared to be bubbling straight up from the water table. We are also on the Thames flood plain here which doesn't help." | |
| Water covered the pitch at Abingdon Town FC in Oxfordshire Floods: At-a-glance Water operation nerve centre New alert in Cambridgeshire Oxford homes flooded Pumping continues in Glos | |
| 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." |
| The threat to Osney Mead substation, which supplies power to Oxford city centre, has now receded, according to the county council. | The threat to Osney Mead substation, which supplies power to Oxford city centre, has now receded, according to the county council. |
| In Gloucestershire the Army is involved in the water distribution operation, delivering three million bottles of water a day from Cheltenham racecourse. | |
| Long queues formed in supermarket car parks on Wednesday as people waited to collect their daily ration of six two-litre bottles of water. | |
| At the Tesco in Quedgeley residents said the crisis had fostered a war-time spirit. | |
| Reginald Davies, 91, who fought during the Second World War, said: "I did five days without water in Burma. | |
| "I've seen men go mad from thirst. This is nothing. The worst thing is getting out of bed in the morning at 91 to get water." | |
| HAVE YOUR SAY We must now look at proper regional controls and answers for surface water problems Ted Smith, Worcester Send us your experiences | |
| 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. | |
| 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." |
| 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 1188 | Environment 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 |
| Return | Return |
| Have you been affected by the evacuation? How are the drinking water supplies so far? The BBC would like to hear from anyone affected by the floods. Please use the form below to tell us about your experiences. | Have you been affected by the evacuation? How are the drinking water supplies so far? The BBC would like to hear from anyone affected by the floods. Please use the form below to tell us about your experiences. |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 61124.Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 61124.Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |