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Signs of flooding

Flooding on South Oxford’s flood plain is not uncommon. It happens almost every year. It is useful to know when more serious flooding is likely to affect properties, sewers and the transport network. The most important thing to do is sign up for flood warnings. You can check for local flood warnings here.

What happens in the early stages of a flood? 

At the early stages of a flood in South Oxford, the following areas begin to flood with river or groundwater, or a mix of the two.

Deans Ham
End of Wytham Street
Hinksey Lake fishing bay
Eastwick ditch on the east side of Abingdon Road
Electric way, west of the railway line
Fox crescent playground floods

Signs that the flood is becoming more serious:

Water flows from Cowmead allotments onto Abingdon Road
The Bertie Park pathway floods
Hinksey Park playing field
Weirs Lane/Abingdon Road closed to traffic

If the Abingdon Road is closed, the High Street may be open to traffic through the bus gate, and residents may be able to use the Redbridge Park & Ride free-of-charge.

Water flows from Eastwick Ditch to Hinksey lake across tennis courts
Groundwater rises into gardens
Groundwater rises into basements

How to check river levels during a flood

Anu Dudia’s Isis river levelsis for rowers. It compares past and present river levels, and so is useful for tracking and forecasting river levels.

This government website allows you to check rainfall, river levels, and current flood warnings.

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