County sees month's worth of rain in two days

Three cars driving through floodwater on a country road. The water looks to be several inches deep. Either side of the road is greenery, bushes and trees.
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A week of wet weather has seen roads shut, businesses closed and homes flooded

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Firefighters have attended more than 80 incidents following heavy rain and flooding in Oxfordshire.

More than a month's worth of rain fell across the county on 22 and 23 September, according to the Environment Agency, with further downpours on Friday.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was mostly called to the Thame and Wheatley area, including Kidlington, Tiddington and the Bartons.

Rain is expected again on Sunday evening and Monday morning, with a Met Office yellow weather warning, external in place for the south-west of the county.

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On Monday, a family with a six-month-old baby were evacuated from their home in Abingdon

Across Oxfordshire, five Environment Agency flood warnings, external were in place on Saturday.

The agency said some homes near the River Thame in the Dorchester and Overy areas should expect flooding, as well as properties near Chiselhampton.

Levels of the River Cherwell and the River Ray also remain high, with flooding possible around Kidlington.

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More than 10cm (4ins) of rain fell in parts of Oxfordshire earlier in the week

People have been urged to avoid contact with flood water and not to attempt to drive through flooded roads.

Oxfordshire County Council said flood water was not clean or suitable for children to play in.

It added there was also a possibility of hidden hazards under the water, such as manhole covers that had lifted.

In a statement, the authority said: "Fire and rescue, resilience, adult social care and transport teams have been working together to assist vulnerable people, homeowners and businesses whose electrics have been compromised in some way, as well as supporting some families evacuate their properties."

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