Householders had to make a mad dash to a school for sandbags as Storm Bert lashed West Oxfordshire.

Police declared a major incident and closed Hailey Road in Witney as Storm Bert caused chaos across West Oxfordshire and large parts of the UK.

Kim Hammond, who lives on Eastfield Road, off Hailey Road, said: "It started about half past five. You could see that the puddles were getting really big.

"I was making dinner and went back into the kitchen and it was awful, coming up to the front of the house.

(Image: Kim Hammond/Witney Spotted)

"Between five and six things took a dramatic turn. It’s got very close before so you do start to put the panic stations on.

"I spoke to my husband who was in town and he said he was going to try and get some sandbags from the local council offices. But when he went in there there was no signage or any indication of where we would be able to get some.

"That’s when we started talking to local people about getting sandbags from anywhere. Obviously everybody was out and helping each other out.

"A couple of staff members from Witney Community Primary School live on our road and they had got some and within half an hour or so they’d gone up there and brought them down for us.

"The sandbags did manage to keep it at bay. I think if they hadn’t been there it would have been a different story."

She added: "We had great support from local people and the fire brigade did come and knock at about 9pm just to check we were OK and happy to be in the home."

Hailey Road through to Crawley Road in Witney was also shut by police and was described as not passable with the public asked to avoid the area.

(Image: Kim Hammond/Witney Spotted)

Multiple minor roads were flooded and a flood warning was in place for Shill Brook at Carterton and Bampton meaning property flooding was expected.

There were two serious crashes in West Oxfordshire on Sunday afternoon (November 24). 

The first took place on the Brize Norton road to Minster, near Witney, in which a car came off the road.

The second was on Burford High Street where a car collided with the bridge.

Police reported both incidents at 4.15pm as motorists were urged to avoid the area.

A car also left the road and went into a hedge outside Cokethorpe School.

The force said the crashes were caused by Storm Bert creating tough driving conditions.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) sent engineers to Eynsham and Alvescot where power cuts lasted until midnight (12am Sunday, November 24). 

On Monday morning, the road was badly flooded between Long Hanborough and Bladon with stranded vehicles being recovered from the floodwater.

Great Western Railway (GWR) told passengers not to attempt to travel on any route due to flooding and fallen trees.

Two more flood warnings were issued on Monday (November 25) for the Evenlode near Eynsham and the Windrush in Witney.

(Image: NQ staff)

Meanwhile a red alert flood warning was issued for the Evenlode at Milton under Wychwood, Shipton under Wychwood and Ascott under Wychwood.

The Environment Agency said "river levels are high but steadily falling on the River Evenlode following rainfall from Storm Bert.

"Therefore, flooding of property and roads is expected through today."

Areas most at risk are Shipton-under-Wychwood and Ascott-under-Wychwood.

The EA added: "Our staff are liaising with councils and emergency services. Move possessions and valuables off the ground or to safety. Activate any property flood protection products such as flood barriers. Do not drive through flood water."

Today's forecast is predominantly dry but further rainfall is forecast from tomorrow night (November 26).

In an emergency loose sand and bags are available for householders to make up themselves at neighbourhood sandbag centres.

Please be aware you will need a vehicle to transport them and may need several trips to collect enough.