DOWNPOURS across Oxfordshire brought misery to residents and commuters as homes and roads were flooded yesterday. County council officials said eight properties flooded in the Bloxham area near Banbury after two brooks in the village overflowed.

Yesterday there were 10 flood alerts across the county warning residents that flooding was possible, and one flood warning indicating that homes in the Bloxham area were expected to flood.

RAF Brize Norton registered 38.8mm of rain between midnight and 3pm yesterday – more than half the average of 68.4mm for all of November.

The Met Office said more rain was on the way today, with heavy downpours – between 20mm and 40mm of rain – between 6pm and 9pm.

At least two homes in Leafield in West Oxfordshire were reported to have flooded and there was disruption to roads and rail services across the county.

A silver Mercedes skidded into the central reservation on the M40 between junction 9 and 8a just before 1pm, causing delays. The driver suffered cuts.

There were also delays reported on the A44 at Woodstock and Begbroke, the B4022 between Charlbury and Witney, the A361 between Fulbrook and Shipton-under-Wychwood and the A4074 at Nuneham Courtenay due to surface water, while CrossCountry rail services between Banbury and Leamington Spa were delayed by 50 minutes. There was also flash flooding in Monahan Way, Carterton.

Amber Denson, 21, barmaid of The Fox in Leafield, said: “A house on The Green flooded and the fire brigade was out this morning pumping out water. We have just pumped out the pub’s cellar but that will probably be filled up again tomorrow morning.”

Terry Siddall, 81, of Hailey near Witney, said: “There is a river outside the house. The road is completely blocked, the police and the council were here. I’ve been here 49 years, and it has flooded most years. I’m fed up with the way the councils pass it on to one another.

“The last time flooding occurred, it caused £60,000 worth of damage to my property.”

A flood warning was put on the Sor Brook at Bodicote and Adderbury and the Bloxham Brook at Bloxham.

Meanwhile, the River Evenlode, between Moreton-in-Marsh and Cassington; the River Glyme at Wootton and Woodstock; Clanfield Brook and Shill Brook in West Oxfordshire were put on flood alert.

Across the rest of the county, Ginge Brook at Sutton Courtenay; the Thames and tributaries, from Buscot Wick to Kings Lock; the River Ock, from Watchfield to Abingdon; Letcombe Brook at Wantage, Grove and East Hanney; and the River Cherwell from Charwelton to Lower Heyford have also been put on flood alert.

Roads were flooded in Oxford, Banbury, Bloxham, Witney, Leafield and Field Assarts, Great Tew, Deddington, Yarnton, Cumnor , Kidlington, Begbroke, Fritwell and Epwell areas.

The county council received more than 300 flood-related calls by the mid-afternoon yesterday and has been delivering flood boards and sandbags to areas hit.

County council emergency planning officer Bethan Morgan said: “At the moment issues are very localised although all agencies are keeping a watching brief on the situation now and in coming days. We would advise people to drive safely.”

For information about flood risk, call the Environment Agency on 0845 988 1188 or see environment-agency.gov.uk/flood