Flooding

Flooding: Witney July 2007

For flooding updates during an emergency, including the availability and location of sandbags visit our News Centre pages.

In this section you will find information and advice on:

General Information:
There are many different types of flooding involving: rivers, sewers, surface water, overland flow and burst water mains. Minor flooding can cause disruption to day-to-day life, whereas, more severe flooding can cause damage to property and in extreme circumstances can be life-threatening.

The Council's Flood Defence Policy provides a public statement of our approach to flood defence in West Oxfordshire.

Reports & Reviews: 2007 Summer Floods
The Council and the Environment Agency have published flood review reports following the Summer 2007 floods. You can view these on our flood reports and reviews page.

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

Scott Wilson have undertaken a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) for West Oxfordshire and Cherwell. The SFRA forms part of the evidence base for the Local Development Framework, bringing together into one document a wide range of information on flooding.

Environment Agency Flood Warning System
The Environment Agency operates a flood warning system, giving information to the public, media, emergency services and local authorities. If flooding is forecast, warnings are issued using a set of four easily recognisable codes:

Flood Watch - Flooding possible. Be aware, be prepared, watch out
Flood Warning - Flooding expected affecting homes, businesses and main roads. Act now
Severe Flood Warning - Severe flooding expected. Imminent danger to life and property.
All Clear - Flood watches or warnings are no longer in force.

When there is a risk of flooding, warnings are issued through the media (local radio, TV, ITV Teletext - page 154 and BBC Ceefax - page 419). The Environment Agency also provides a 24 hour Floodline telephone service (0845 988 1188), see the Environment Agency's Flood Warnings leaflet for more details.

Ditches and watercourses
Responsibility for ditches and watercourses (rivers and streams) is shared between the Environmental Agency, the District Council and landowners who have watercourses running through or next to their land.