Flooding advice
As a resident there is lots you can do to prepare for flooding and ensure it has as little effect on you, your community and property as possible. Take a look at the Oxfordshire Flood Toolkit and find out about the small things you could do now to make you more flood resilient, or to report an incident if the worst happens.
Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA)
Oxfordshire County Council is the Lead Local Flood Authority and has responsibilities for:
- investigating and reporting flooding incidents
- managing flood risk from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses (i.e. non main rivers)
- producing a local flood risk management strategy
- consenting works on ordinary water courses
- enforcing works to maintain the flow on ordinary water courses
See more information on the County councils role.
Be prepared
Flooding can happen quickly and unexpectedly. There are things you can do to limit its impact on your property. If you live in a flood risk area do what you can now to prepare for a flood.
Personal flood plan
The personal flood plan includes a list of things you should do (like moving sentimental items to safety), and provides space for you to note down important contact details such as your utility companies and insurance. The Environment Agency have created a personal flood plan template.
Flood alerts and warnings
You can view flood warns and register for alerts on GOV.UK, or by calling 0345 988 1188
Sandbags
When there is an imminent risk of flooding to property, supported by an Environment Agency Flood Alert or Flood Warning being declared, sandbags are given out free of charge. We will deliver sandbags to the elderly or disabled at times of need.
You can buy sandbags from most local builders merchants in advance if you think your property may be at risk from flooding.
In an emergency loose sand and bags are available for householders to make up themselves at the following neighbourhood sandbag centres:
- Ascott-under-Wychwood: Car park next to village hall, Shipton Road
- Bampton:by Fire Station, access by lane by side of Fire Station
- Burford: The Rec Car Park, Tanners Lane
- Charlbury: Charlbury Bowls Club, Ticknell Piece Road
- Chipping Norton: WODC Depot, Greystones (A361)
- Clanfield: Car park next to Cater Insistent, Main Road
- Milton-under-Wychwood: Car park next to the village hall, Shipton Road
- Northmoor: Village Hall, Church Road
- Ramsden: opposite Memorial Hall in Centre of Ramsden (on private land)
- Shipton-under-Wychwood: The New Beaconsfield Hall and Recreation Ground, Station Road
- Standlake: St Giles Church, Downs Road
- Witney: Elmfield Offices, New Yatt Road, OX28 1PB
- Woodstock: Hensington Road Car Park next to the public toilet
What to do during a flood
If you are in immediate danger call 999
You can listen to local radio for updates or call Flood line on 0345 988 1188.
If you are flooded:
- make sure you have access to clean water
- move essential items upstairs or out of reach of the water
- turn off gas, electricity and water supplies when flood water is about to enter your home if safe to do so. Do not touch sources of electricity when standing in flood water
Travel during flooding
Do not walk through flooded areas, there may be hidden dangers such as open drains, damaged road surfaces, submerged debris or deep channels.
Do not try to drive through flooded roads or fords, the water is often deeper than it looks and your vehicle may be swept away or you may become stranded.
For the latest travel and transport information visit:
- Oxfordshire County Council for flooding and road closures
- Local bus service updates
- changes to train services on National Rail