There were worries yesterday about whether parts of South Abingdon would flood again because of the River Ock (I note on the Environment Agency web site the River Ock is still only at ‘flood watch’ not ‘flood warning’. )

These pictures are from this morning at about 8.

Sandbags have been put out again. Supplies are available from near Homebase on the Fairacres estate. This is St Helen’s Mill where the water was rushing against the sides of the building last summer. It has breached the bank a little this time despite the bags.

For advice about using sandbags watch this video.

The River Thames is high but it affects far fewer properties in Abingdon than the River Ock. The wide flood plain the other side ensures for each inch it creeps up this side, it has to go some way the other side.

The River Ock divides into an upper and lower stream near Tesco.

In some places, the river has broken its banks. The houses in the background are in the Ladygrove Estate which were flooded last July.

Upper and lower streams run close together on the Ock Valley Walk into town, and the difference in level is normally far greater.

In places the walk goes underwater.

They streams come together just before joing the Thames.

The Ock has been on Flood Watch since January 11th.

(Update: it got worse than these pictures overnight into Thursday but no sign of anybody being flooded, although it looks a close run thing in places.)

Last April there was just the shell of the old petrol station and a hole in the ground, and now there is ‘On the Run’.

Over the last four or so years, Esso has converted many petrol stations to be ‘On the Run’.
On a wet night, like tonight , people can find here a cafe area and a convenience store. Its just off the A34 Marcham interchange, near Tesco.

The petrol price is typical for the area – unfortunately. Prices have not been so high before.

This picnic bench has been near the Thames in Barton Meadows through many winters. It has always appeared robust but is definitely showing its age.

These trees fell into the lower Ock during the July floods last year. The high water will soften their remaining hold on earth.

Over the Marina houses, gulls trail across, and then gather. A few scatter and scout close to ground in search of food, before moving on, back to the rubbish-filled gravel pits south of Abingdon.

The flooded fields and high rivers are not unusual for this time of year. But last summer we saw the water going up to the next level. It gives ‘pause for thought’.