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Oxford Evacuates as Water Rises

UK flood disaster continues

Posted Jul 25, 2007 11:26 AM CDT

(Newser) – Hundreds of residents were evacuated from their Oxford homes today as water levels along the Thames neared their height. In the worst flooding the UK has seen in 60 years, hundreds of thousands are without drinking water, and power plants supplying many more are threatened.

PM Gordon Brown is spearheading the effort to send immediate relief to affected areas, pledging a total of $95 million to help victims and conduct repairs. With the flooding far from over, bread and water are being rationed in some areas to avoid panic buying.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

Benches and seats can be seen sucked under a bridge at Newbridge, near Oxford, England as the River Thames rises with water from the heavy rainfall in Central and Western England which flooded many areas,... (Associated Press)

A local resident walks down a heavily flooded street in Oxford, England, Wednesday July 25, 2007. Rising flood waters drove dozens of people out of their homes in Oxford on Wednesday as the surge from... (Associated Press)

Resident Philip Marsden uses his punt for transport in flood water at his home in Oxford, England, Wednesday July 25, 2007. Rising flood waters drove dozens of people out of their homes in Oxford on Wednesday... (Associated Press)

Residents of Standlake, near Oxford, England load sandbags into a wheel barrow to take to their house as the River Thames is expected to flood the village after heavy rainfall in central and western England... (Associated Press)

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Amateur footage of Oxford flooding. July 23, 2007 (attilakiss (YouTube))

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Oxford Evacuates as Water Rises