The county's fire service is receiving a "very high level of calls" from people stuck in vehicles in floodwater as well as from homeowners being affected by the weather.

Storm Bert has brought relentless rain and winds to the county this weekend with many people now getting into bother as a result of the abnormal conditions. 

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has urged people not to travel this evening "unless it is absolutely essential". 

READ MORE: Trees down and flood alerts as Storm Bert batters county

A statement from the fire service says: "We are experiencing very high levels of calls for people in vehicles who are stuck in flood waters and properties flooding.

"Most of our crews are out working hard to assist those in most need prioritising life risk calls.

"Now is the time to take action if you are potentially facing flooding. We urge you to not travel unless it is absolutely essential."

Hailey Road through to Crawley Road in Witney is among the roads affected as it has been closed off and described as a "major incident" by police. 

Thames Valley Police South Oxon and Vale of White Horse has stated Storm Bert is "causing havoc" across the two districts with officers being "extremely busy dealing with multiple calls in relation to flooding and trees down". 

The force has also issued a warning advising people to stay indoors. 

A statement reads: "Unless you have to be out for essential reasons then we advise you to stay at home and wait for the storm to die down.

"Please don’t put yourself at risk and if you have to go out, consider the large amount of standing water on the roads."

A number of flood alerts and warnings were issued across the county by the Environment Agency earlier today. 

"Levels this evening are forecast to peak higher than levels last night, and higher than levels in January 2024, and therefore additional property flooding is possible," the Environment Agency stated. 

There has been disruption to public transport and motorists in Oxfordshire as well as surrounding counties with miles of delays caused by an overhanging tree on the M40 near High Wycombe earlier this evening which has since been cleared.

Storm Bert has brought more than 80 per cent of November’s average monthly rainfall in less than 48 hours, with more than 100 flood warnings still in place in England, Scotland and Wales.

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