Flood warnings across Oxfordshire after heavy rain

In Tiddington, fire crews rescued several residents from their homes on Monday as water levels rose

Eight flood warnings have been issued after heavy rain deluged parts of Oxfordshire.

Many areas saw more than 100mm (4 inches) of rain fall over Sunday and Monday which forced numerous schools to close and left roads completely submerged.

The warnings issued by the Environment Agency mean flooding is expected. There are also 22 flood alerts in place.

Chiltern Railways said trains between Banbury and Bicester North were running at reduced speed on all lines due to heavy rain flooding the railway.

Nicky Vernede was left with shin-deep water throughout the ground floor of her house and patio in Wheatley

A Chiltern Railways spokesperson said: "We are sorry for disruption to services between Bicester North and Banbury today as a result of flooding on the tracks due to heavy rain."

They said customers whose journeys hadbeen delayed by 15 minutes or more would be entitled to compensation.

Oxford City Council said: "Yesterday's heavy rain has subsided, but flood warnings remain in force across the county and it is likely rain will return tomorrow."

The authority said it was "out and about checking on vulnerable residents and offering assistance to those who have been flooded".

It said no towpaths or riverside walkways had been closed, but it was "monitoring the situation".

Firefighters from stations across Oxfordshire were called to help people try and protect their homes as the water rose on Monday.

The service said crews spent more than six hours in Tiddington dealing with flooded roads and properties due to the unprecedented rainfall.

Mike Adock, assistant chief fire officer for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "It was a very, very busy day... we were in Wheatley, Thame, Barton, Oxford, Kidlington and Banbury, those were the most affected areas yesterday.

"The weather yesterday was, by all accounts, the worst weather in a 24-hour period for 56 years.

"We've had a quieter night, although our crews have been working throughout the night.

"Now it's a case of resting our crews so we are ready to be called if needed."

Rachael Blakey, who lives in Bucknell near Bicester, stayed overnight with friends after her house was flooded on Monday.

"We've never had it inside our house before, this is the worst we've had it," she said.

"They didn't close the road, so people were still driving through creating tidal waves which also pushed the water into homes."

She returned on Tuesday morning to find the flooding in the village had reduced but said her lounge was still full of puddles.

"We've been saying for years that our infrastructure is not coping with water levels.

"We're not near a river or open watercourse, there is no reason we should flood - our drains just cannot cope with the amount of water."

Vanessa Johnson described the road through the village as "terrible".

She said: "Even in wellington boots it was coming over the tops.

"The cars were coming through the village, not knowing at first there was a flood.

"They were all coming through at speed and then when they realised, braking, and people were inconsiderate with each other. They were getting angry because they were having to stop or couldn’t get through."

Barry Quibell, whose nearby back garden was underwater, said: "We’re totally demoralised.

"I know we’ve had a lot of rain but this keeps happening, and this is the worst we’ve ever had."

Residents in Bucknell near Bicester were left with submerged gardens and flooded homes on Monday

George Bennett, a farmer at Sandy Lane Farm near Wheatley, said: "The rain came down so fast that it washed a lot of the soil off and some of this place is like a beach. There’s ripples in the sand.

"It was pretty extraordinary to see how the landscape changed so quickly.

"It was quite dramatic. It’s certainly the worst that we have seen since I’ve been here."

The roads into the farm were at one point knee deep in floodwater, as were the potato barns on the site.

"The longer term impact for us is there has been some soil erosion," he explained.

"When we can’t get our fertility crops established in an organic system it means you are building yourself up for a fertility shortfall in the years to come."

Floodwater swept onto Aristotle Lane Recreation Ground in Oxford

Oxfordshire County Council said its highways teams, fire and rescue crews and emergency planners were "very active on Monday helping residents in exceptionally tough conditions for everyone".

The authority said: "Gully cleaners and highways teams were deployed throughout yesterday and are out working hard again today. However more than a month's rainfall fell in a 36-hour period. The sheer intensity of that sustained rainfall would cause problems for any highway drainage system in the world.

"We will be doing all we can today to lessen impacts and quicken the natural process of the water draining away."

Rachael Blakey stayed overnight with friends after her house was flooded

Thames Water said: "The heavy rainfall over the weekend and in recent weeks has put huge pressure on our sewers and pumping stations. Water is entering our network and flows from flooded rivers are adding to the problem in some areas.

"The most affected areas have been Oxford and Aylesbury, but there is disruption across our network with many roads impassable. We're prioritising emergencies first and our teams are working hard to support all of those impacted."

Those in areas with a flood warning, which means flooding of properties is expected, are urged to move possessions and valuables off the ground or to safety and use any flood protection in place at their property.

The Environment Agency said river levels were expected to stabilise and drop through Tuesday morning, and were being monitored closely.

The Met Office said South Newington saw the most rain with 140.2mm (5.5 inches) falling in the village, near Banbury, across Sunday and Monday.

A number of schools have been forced to close for a second day due to flooding, with remote learning set for some pupils.

An amber weather warning previously issued for central and southern England, including Oxfordshire, by the Met Office ended at 21:00 BST on Monday.

The Met Office said a respite from the heavy rain was expected on Tuesday.