WATER levels on the River Thames are the highest they have ever been – beating a record held for more than 20 years.
Although water levels on the River Loddon have receded overnight, meaning the Showcase Roundabout is no longer partially submerged, it is a different story in Reading.
The depth of the River Thames, as of 11.04am, was 7.53m, the highest ever recorded.
The previous highest level for the River Thames was recorded on January 4, 2003, when it reached 7.41m.
Property flooding is possible if the river level goes above 7.25m.
Residents living along the Thames Path are watching water levels as the Thames and the Kennet and Avon Canal have both burst their banks.
And there are fears that when the water levels recede, sewage will be left behind – effluent can be seen as the waves lap the pavements.
In Kenavon Drive, the Biscuit Tunnel that links Newtown with Napier Road has flooded, while The Oracle’s Riverside area remains flooded.
At Thames Valley Park, canoes in the Wokingham Waterside Centre can be taken straight from the storage bay onto the water, as there is no greenery. Benches and fields at the Thames Valley Park Nature Reserve are underwater such is the extent of the flooding.
The Environment Agency said across the country, there are more than 200 flood warnings in place, and its crews have been working with emergency responders operating around temporary pumps, barriers and flood defences to help reduce impacts.
It said that 1,800 homes had flooded so far.
Water levels are expected to go down across the weekend, but alerts will be in place for the next four days as some larger rivers slowly respond to recent and forecast rain.
Many rivers are elevated and will remain so for several days.
Drivers are urged not to go through flood water and follow advice of local emergency services on the roads.
Katharine Smith, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Significant river flooding impacts are still expected over the next few days across parts of the River Thames. The prolonged wet weather and intense rainfall has led to flooding impacts and our thoughts are with all of those affected.
“Environment Agency teams are out on the ground, working to minimise the impacts of flooding where possible by operating flood defences and clearing watercourses. So far, more than 45,000 properties have been protected in the last few days.
“We also urge people not to drive though flood water and follow advice of local emergency services on the roads – flood water is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.”
