The Tesco Extra store car park in Abingdon is flooded and the store is now  believed to be closed to customers.

With more than a month's worth of rain falling across 24-hour period since 1968, the River Ock appears to have burst its banks, leaving part of the car park at the store just off Marcham Road flooded.

This afternoon drivers were entering the car park from the petrol station entrance to avoid the deepest water.

Residents are now reporting on an Abingdon Facebook group that the store has shut.

READ MORE: 'Ground in Abingdon too wet for flood barriers'

It is not the first time Tesco shoppers have been inconvenienced by flooding in the car park.

The store was forced to close for a short time in January, and for a short time the previous April, due to the car park getting waterlogged.

Click and collect services have been affected on previous occasions, with duckboards used so that staff and customers could get into the store.

Some residents have previously questioned why the store was built on a flood plain.

(Image: Craig Cantwell) Tesco to date has not commented on whether it is considering paying for any flood alleviation measures.

Tesco press office has been asked for an update regarding the latest closure.

Abingdon county councillor Neil Fawcett said a flood warning was now in place for the River Ock through Abingdon.

This means that some flooding of property is expected.

Flood warning area features properties closest to the River Ock from Tesco to St Helen's Wharf, including parts of Orpwood Way, Nash Drive, Chaunterell Way, Ock Mill Close, Meadowside, Manor Court, Mill Paddock and St Helen's Mill.

(Image: Craig Cantwell) Abingdon does not have an up-to-date flood plan.

After some homes' garages in the town were flooded in January, including those in Chaunterell Way, the Environment Agency confirmed that temporary flood barriers were no longer stored in the town - but claimed they were never solely designated for use in Abingdon.

An Environment Agency spokesman said at the time: "Recent storms led to high river levels in the Thames Valley, and our thoughts are with all those affected.

"Our temporary flood barriers and pumps at South Hinksey, Vicarage Lane and Osney Island in Oxford have protected dozens of properties during Storm Henk.

“The Environment Agency remains committed to supporting the people of Abingdon.

"We held an event last year to pass on practical advice, and remain available to provide support.

"Our teams help reduce flood-risk by cutting grass and weeds, and removing debris from rivers and streams.

“Waterlogged ground in the Ock flood plain at Abingdon and little time to react to the fast-responding river create practical and safety risks with the use of temporary flood barriers here.

"We have withdrawn our temporary flood barrier plan for Abingdon as a result of these risks."

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

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