A FLOOD Watch alert was issued for the stretch of the River Thames through Abingdon today.

The River Ock through the town to its confluence with the Thames was placed on Flood Watch yesterday, along with other parts of the Thames. A number of other Oxfordshire rivers were put on alert on Friday night.

The full list of Oxfordshire rivers and brooks now covered by Flood Watches is:

  • River Thames around Oxford, from Wolvercote to Kennington.
  • River Thames at Abingdon.
  • River Thames from Buscot to King's Lock, above Oxford, including Kelmscott, Northmoor, Bablock Hythe and Swinford.
  • River Cherwell catchment, from Cherwelton to Banbury and Oxford.
  • River Ray, from Shipton Lee to Islip.
  • Sor and Bloxham brooks, from Edgehill to Bloxham and Adderbury.
  • River Ock, from Watchfield to Abingdon, including Stanford in the Vale, Charney Bassett, Lyford and Garford.
  • Letcombe Brook at Wantage, Grove, East Hanney, Letcombe Regis and Letcombe Bassett.
  • River Thame, including Thame, Shabbington, Ickford, Waterperry, Wheatley, Drayton St Leonard and Dorchester.
  • Chalgrove Brook at Chalgrove and Stadhampton.
  • River Evenlode from Moreton-in-Marsh to Cassington, including Kingham, the Wychwoods, Charlbury and Long Hanborough
  • River Glyme at Wootton and Woodstock
  • River Windrush from Bourton-on-the-Water to Newbridge, including Burford, Asthall, Minster Lovell, Crawley, Witney, Ducklington and Standlake.

A Flood Watch is the lowest level of the Environment Agency's three-stage alert system, meaning low-lying land and roads are subject to flooding and householders should take precautions.

The next two levels are Flood Warning, when flooding of homes and businesses is expected, and a Severe Flood Warning, when there is extreme danger to people and properties.

For the latest information on flood alerts in the Environment Agency's Thames region, which includes Oxfordshire, see the agency's website or call the Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

You can also get information about how to sign up for free flood alerts if you live in an area at risk. These can be sent to landline phones and mobile phones, or by text message, email or fax.