Flooding in Oxford

Update 26 September 2024

Amber weather alert for rain in Oxford

There is an amber rain warning in effect from 6pm this evening (26 September) until 6am tomorrow. Heavy rain is likely to cause flooding and transport disruption this evening and overnight.

What should you expect?

• spray and flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
• homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, causing damage to some buildings
• a good chance some communities will be cut off by flooded roads
• delays and some cancellations to train and bus services
• power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses

For more information visit the Met Office warnings and advice page.

You can check for flood warnings in Oxfordshire from the Environment Agency here.

For further advice on flooding, visit the Oxfordshire Flood Toolkit website.

Update 25 September 2024

Areas affected include Barton, Blackbird Leys, Risinghurst, Marston and Cowley.  The amount of rain over the last 36 hours has been exceptional. Oxford City Council and ODS are responding to the situation and staff will visit locations and assess the problem. 

Further rain is expected through this afternoon. It is expected that the rain will ease off tomorrow but is likely to return on Wednesday, so residents should remain alert and prepare for the possibility of further flooding. 

We've had reports of flooded underpasses. Please avoid these and use alternative routes. Plan journeys ahead of time and check your local flood risks.

People are reminded of the hazards of driving in to floodwater and the risk of creating bow-waves that run in to adjacent properties when this occurs. 

Any road that is closed due to flooding will have been done so for safety reasons and this should be respected.  Highways often become flooded because the water-courses in to which they drain are already full.

Towpaths

Update 25/9/2024: The towpath between Fiddler's Island and Sidelings Island is flooded and has now been closed. The gates at either end are locked. 

River Thames

The Environment Agency has placed yellow boards on the River Thames upstream of Godstow Lock, and downstream of Iffley Lock. When these yellow boards are displayed, the Environment Agency advises:

• users of all unpowered boats not to navigate
• users of powered boats to find a safe mooring

River flows are likely to strengthen, and strong stream boards could be displayed very soon and without further warning."

Current conditions for boaters on the River Thames can be found here.

Sandbags 

Neither the County Council nor the City Council provide sandbags to individual properties, except to vulnerable residents. We recommend therefore buying sandbags if your property is at risk. Sandbags can be purchased at most builders' merchants, including Buildbase, Wickes, and B&Q. 

For more information visit the Oxfordshire County Council flooding webpage.   

For advice visit on how to protect your property visit the Oxfordshire Flood Toolkit website, the Oxford City Council Preparing for Floods webpage, and the GOV.UK flood preparation guidelines. 

Tenants whose property is affected should call Customer Services on 01865 249811.