Tim Abbott - There are currently
25 Flood Watches in force across the Thames
Region
The floodwaters may have receded across the
Thames Valley, but Environment Agency staff
are still on the ground helping people get
back in their homes safely.
Environment Agency staff have been out in
areas affected by flooding meeting homeowners
and giving advice on what to do next. Over
the weekend we visited more than 300 homes
and this morning staff were out again in Duke
Street and Earl Street, Oxford.
Staff have visited areas including Oxford,
Abingdon, Witney, Pangbourne, and Fairford.
We are going door to door, talking to those
affected about their experience and giving
advice on how they can recover from the distress
and damage of a flood.
The advice includes ensuring homeowners have
their electricity back in supply properly,
and that professional advice is sought for
this work and other major repairs to the property.
Regional flood risk manager Colin Candish
said: "Although the water has stabilised
and begun to recede from most of the affected
properties, there is still much work to be
done.
"We have staff out on the ground every
day visiting the affected areas to offer advice
on how to recover from the distress of a flood.
Anyone who has not met with one of our staff
can get information from Floodline on 0845
988 1188, or on our website."
As water levels continue to fall today we
are removing the pumps and the sandbags to
allow people back into their homes, particularly
in Earl Street and Duke Street, Oxford.
Floodline
The Environment Agency is appealing for people
to sign-up to this free service.
"Floodline Warnings Direct automatically
alerts people to rising rivers and possible
flooding, giving people the vital hours they
need to protect their home and belongings,"
continued Colin.
"Many communities have been protected
from floods over the past few weeks. Although
in these extreme events we can’t always stop
the floodwater, we can warn people in advance.
"We’d encourage every household across
the country to call our Floodline number and
find out whether they live in a flood prone
area. You can then find out if your property
is covered by the Floodline Warnings Direct
system."
The advice includes:
The first step is to find out if the property
is at risk from flooding by visiting our website
(www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodline)
or calling Floodline 0845 988 1188.
The Environment Agency is encouraging people
to make sure they understand the flood warning
codes and know what to do when a flood warning
is issued.
We also want people to check that their buildings
and contents insurance covers flood damage;
to prepare a flood checklist; and find out
how to make their home flood resilient.
The Floodline Warnings Direct system will
alert people automatically when Flood Warnings
and Severe Flood Warnings are issued. Optionally
people can also receive automatic Flood Watch.
Outlook
The outlook has improved considerably this
weekend with river levels stabilising and
falling in many areas.
The Met Office forecast between 15 to 25mm
of rain overnight on Saturday but the area
only received an average of 7mm. No further
flooding of properties was reported.
With the area saturated the slight rainfall
will raise the levels in the River Thames
at the very top first above Lechlade, Gloucestershire,
and will therefore have no impact on Oxford
or below for a number of days. This would
give the current levels time to drop and we
would not expect any further property flooding.
The Met Office has forecast a predominantly
dry week this week, with only patchy and light
showers possible on Thursday. People can get
more information on their area from our website
www.environment-agency.gov.uk, or by phoning
Floodline.
The latest weather forecasts are available
from www.metoffice.gov.uk
Boating and River Safety
Although the Flood Warnings have been downgraded,
boaters should not confuse these with our
Strong Stream Warnings. There is still a VERY
STRONG STREAM WARNING in force over the full
length of the Thames.
As river levels start to drop, the strength
of the stream will actually increase.
Stranded boaters are now able to register
for daily text updates on the state of the
Thames and the latest advice – mobile numbers
can be registered at visitthames@environment-agency.gov.uk
Lockkeepers are out walking as much of their
reach as possible to determine whether it’s
accessible and to locate and keep in contact
with stranded boats.
Some lockkeepers with lots of boats stuck
at their lock have been helping where they
can by doing their shopping and one has even
invited them in for Sunday lunch!
Our investment in our infrastructure has
been of benefit where new robust laybys have
provided refuge from the floodwaters for lots
of boaters.
Our advice for staying safe on the water
is:
The speed of the water (current) is difficult
to gauge and at the moment is as fast as it
would be in the depths of winter which means
that you shouldn’t use a boat on the river,
especially ones without engines
Items may be hidden underwater – they might
be discarded items(scaffolding poles/broken
glass/bicycles) or riverside fixtures (signs/benches/mooring
bollards/steps) that you can’t see because
of the floodwater
Floodwater can be contaminated with sewage
so you should always wash any body parts or
clothing that comes into contact with it
The depth is the river is difficult to gauge
so you could step off a ledge and find yourself
out of your depth or dive in to surprisingly
shallow water
Some parts of the Thames Path are underwater
and should be avoided and stretches that have
been underwater may have been affected by
the floodwater so you should follow any local
instructions or notices displayed
Don Vickers, recreation and business development
team leader said: "It looks like it’s
going to be a lovely week and the river might
seem an attractive place to visit. However,
we need to remember that although the situation
is improving and water levels are starting
to drop, there is still a lot of fast moving
water in the River Thames.
"We want people to enjoy the river but
our advice is to stay on the banks for now
and take care where the towpath might have
been damaged."
Notes to Editors:
The Environment Agency's flood warning codes
are:
Flood Watch - Flooding of low-lying land
and roads is expected. Be aware! Be prepared!
Watch out!
Flood Warning - Flooding of homes and businesses
is expected. Act now!
Severe Flood Warning - Severe flooding is
expected. There is extreme danger to life
and property. Act now!
All Clear - There are no Flood Watches or
Flood Warnings in force in the area. Flood
water levels are receding. Check all is safe
to return. Seek advice.
The Environment Agency's advice in Flood Watch
areas includes:
Call the Environment Agency's Floodline 0845
9881188 for more information
Listen out for information on local radio
and TV weather and news bulletins
The Environment Agency's advice in Flood Warning
areas includes:
Find out where family members are and check
on neighbours
Check where to turn off gas and electricity
supplies in the event of a flood
Get together useful items such as a torch
and a battery powered radio
Move vehicles, food, pets, valuables and other
items to safety
Put sandbags and/or floodboards in place where
possible
Additional advice to people in areas with
a Severe Flood Warning includes:
Be prepared to evacuate your home
Do heed the advice of emergency services if
you are asked to leave - it could be dangerous
to stay
Be prepared for loss of electricity, gas and
water supplies, and telephone services
Have any essential medication on hand - you
may be away from home for a while
Have warm clothes and wellington boots at
the ready
Get together some food supplies and a thermos
Flood warnings are available online
Our website provides at-a-glance information
on the number and type of flood warnings in
force across England and Wales. The information
is updated every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day,
7 days a week.
The site is very easy to use. In addition
to the standard summaries, users can search
by postcode, town or river. The site is linked
to our Floodline pages so people can find
out more about the flood warning service and
how to prepare for a flood. See www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodwarnings
Jubilee River
The Jubilee River, part of the Maidenhead,
Windsor and Eton Flood Alleviation Scheme,
is the largest river diversion scheme of its
kind in the country, designed to alleviate
flooding to those areas flooded in the Great
Floods of 1947, when 2,000 homes were flooded.
