Residents in Eastbury told to expect the worst from River Lambourn flooding tonight (Thurs)

Residents in Eastbury are taking steps to protect their homes after a warning that the River Lambourn is due to break its banks tonight (Thurs), bringing with it a high chance of properties being flooded.
A number of residents across the district, including in Bagnor, Shaw, Bucklebury (pictured, bottom) and Lambourn have already reported severe flooding in the area, while the chairman of Purley Parish Council, Rick Jones, said that the village was on “tenter hooks” and was waiting for the residual impact of the heavy rainfall on the River Thames.
He said: “The river is very high but its stabilised at the moment.

“There’s a considerable danger that what we experienced three weeks ago could happen again.
“We are just waiting.”
One elderly couple in Riverside Lane, Newbury, said their garden was under nine inches of water due to flooding from the River Lambourn (pictured top is the River Lambourn close to Riverside Lane).
The Met Office has warned that up to 70mm of rain is expected to fall between Wednesday and Sunday – more than the average rainfall for the whole of February.
The current forecast for West Berkshire is for constant rain until 9am tomorrow (Fri), with showers to resume again from 6pm.
Heavy rain is expected all day on Saturday.
West Berkshire Council has warned that roads and footpaths could be closed at short notice due to flooding, and is urging residents and road users not to ignore road closure signs.
The Environment Agency is reminding residents and road users that six inches of fast flowing water is enough to knock an adult off their feet, while two feet of water can move a car.
Red flood warnings – which indicate that flooding is expected and immediate action is required – have been reinforced on the River Thames at Purley Village and the River Kennet from Denford to Marsh Benham, including in Kintbury.
Amber flood alerts remain for the River Thames in Pangbourne, Whitchurch and Purley, and also for its tributaries which include Goring and Streatley.
Two amber alerts also still apply on the River Kennet for its tributaries from Berwick Bassett to Newbury and also from Thatcham to Reading, including in Burghfield, Colthrop, Woolhampton, Aldermaston, Theale, Calcot and Southcote.
The River Pang from East Ilsley to Pangbourne and Sulham Brook has the same amber alert, as does the River Lambourn, including in Shaw, Eastbury, East Garston, Welford, Easton, Boxford, Woodspeen, Bagnor, Donnington, Great Shefford on the Great Shefford Stream and Winterbourne on the Winterbourne Stream.
The Environment Agency is also warning residents to be prepared for groundwater flooding in the area, as rain falls on already saturated ground.
There are currently amber groundwater flood alerts in place in the Upper Aldbourne Valley and in the Lambourn valley, including in Great Shefford.
Don’t forget to keep us updated of flooding in your area.
You can send you photographs and information to reporter Ellis Barker by emailing ellis.barker@newburynews.co.uk or you can tweet us directly on @NewburyToday or @ellisb_nwn
For more information on how flooding has affected the district so far, pick up a copy of today’s Newbury Weekly News.