South Oxford Flood Action Group have included a useful page on their website with a table showing river levels upstream of Oxford in the Thames catchment. They also provide some guidance on how historical levels relate to the severity of flooding in South Oxford. The text reads as follows:

Because of the complex influence of upstream river levels on flooding that can occur in South Oxford, it is not possible to have a failsafe means to predict if and when flooding will occur. However, the EA’s upstream river level monitoring data can give us some idea when flooding might occur and how serious it might be. Here are two rules of thumb:

• since the early 2000s we have had major floods in South Oxford when the level of the Seacourt Stream at Minns Estate rises above 2.69 metres
• often, but not always, if the river level on the downstream side of Shifford Lock reaches 3.90 metres and the river level on the downstream side of Northmoor Lock reaches 3.58 metres there will likely be a major flood in South Oxford. A rise in the river levels at Shifford Lock can often be seen in the Hinksey Stream in South Oxford about 12-24 hours later.

These same levels would also apply to flooding in West Oxford. River levels in Oxford are currently very similar to those we same on 21 December last year.

OFA has made a short submission to the current consultation on a proposed reorganisation of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue services. We have not expressed an opinion on the overall proposal. Our comments relate purely to the role the Fire Service plays during flood emergencies. The Fire Service has no statutory obligation to respond to floods, but in practice it has provided vital support to other agencies during flooding. Fire crews help to rescue people in trouble, and pump floodwater away to protect homes and keep roads open. Oxfordshire Fire Service has a mobile high-volume pump stationed in Banbury which is deployed in the county and beyond at times of flooding.

The proposals document does not mention flood response. An accompanying document called Facts First does mention a need to review how specialist rescue services will be organised if the proposal goes ahead. From the information provided it is not possible to assess what implications, if any, the reorganisation has for the provision of support during times of flooding. We have asked the proposers to clarify this. We would like to see support during a flood maintained at at least existing levels, and ideally enhanced. We have asked for an assurance that the service will retain the capacity to deliver this support.