Emergency accommodation for flood residents and Met Office issues warning for ice

This afternoon (Thurs) preparations were being made at the village community centre to provide emergency overnight and daytime accommodation for those whose homes had been badly flooded.
This is only the second time such measures have had to be taken, the first time when the village fell victim to severe flooding in 2003.
A red flood warning – which indicates that flooding is expected and immediate action is required – is currently in place for the River Thames at Purley and so far the areas in the village that have been worst hit include Wintringham Way, River Gardens, Chestnut Grove, Colyton Way and Mapledurham Drive.
The chairman of Purley Parish Council, Rick Jones, said that the flooding looked set to top that experienced in 2003, in which more than 100 properties were affected.
“It has been very badly hit,” he said. “It looks like it’s going to be at least as bad as that, if not worse.
“It’s going to spread over the whole lower village - there won’t be many properties that aren’t affected.”
A number of elderly and vulnerable residents have already moved out to stay with friends and relatives, however Mr Jones said the village hall would be available for those who needed to be evacuated urgently.
“The only good thing about Purley is it happens relatively slowly so that does allow us to help the people who need help most,” he added. “We have only done this once and on that occasion not many people required it.”
The red warning also applies to other villages along the Thames, including Pangbourne, Goring and Streatley, all of which have been badly flooded.
Yesterday, The Swan Hotel, Pangbourne, was forced to close due to the extent of flooding, and today the Adventure Dolphin centre is closed.
The Swan at Streatley also had its restaurant flooded, however has remained open and is serving food in other parts of the building.
No further rain is forecast until tomorrow night, howeverthe Environment Agency has warned that river levels will continue to rise for the next few days.
The River Lambourn at Lambourn has risen by 1cm since this morning and is currently at 1.09m and the river Enborne at Brimpton has risen by 14cm since this morning, from 0.91m to 1.05m.
The River Pang at Pangbourne is currently at 1.07m, just 2cm below its record highest.
However, the water levels in the River Kennet have lowered from 1.39cm this morning - its record highest - to 1.36m.
The Met Office has also now issued a yellow warning for rain overnight tonight.
West Berkshire Council will be gritting the primary routes from 7pm.
There are still several flood warnings and alerts in place across the district. To check if you are at risk visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/