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Wainfleet flooding: Homes remain evacuated until Friday | Wainfleet flooding: Homes remain evacuated until Friday |
(about 1 hour later) | |
People evacuated from their homes in a flooded Lincolnshire town may not be able to return until Friday. | People evacuated from their homes in a flooded Lincolnshire town may not be able to return until Friday. |
More than 580 homes in and around Wainfleet were evacuated after heavy rains led to the River Steeping bursting its banks on Wednesday. | More than 580 homes in and around Wainfleet were evacuated after heavy rains led to the River Steeping bursting its banks on Wednesday. |
Residents still in their homes have been told to avoid using toilets, showers and washing machines due to a strain on the sewerage system. | Residents still in their homes have been told to avoid using toilets, showers and washing machines due to a strain on the sewerage system. |
Pumps are being used to try to reduce the water level. | |
The equivalent of about two months' rain fell in two days, forcing 1,000 people out of their homes - about half the population - and flooding nearly 130 properties in the town. | The equivalent of about two months' rain fell in two days, forcing 1,000 people out of their homes - about half the population - and flooding nearly 130 properties in the town. |
The Environment Agency said it was "on the ground pumping water away" and had "shifted 225 Olympic-sized swimming pools' worth of water" overnight. | |
It said river levels in the area were "slowly dropping", but two flood warnings remain in place for the River Steeping. | It said river levels in the area were "slowly dropping", but two flood warnings remain in place for the River Steeping. |
'Really frightening' | 'Really frightening' |
Further rain is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday, which could lead to delays with residents returning to their homes, meteorologist Dean Hall said. | |
"We are keeping an eye on it as there could be some issues with surface water and flooding," he said. | "We are keeping an eye on it as there could be some issues with surface water and flooding," he said. |
Tamara Lowndes, who lives in Wainfleet, described the situation as "really frightening". | Tamara Lowndes, who lives in Wainfleet, described the situation as "really frightening". |
"I've lived here 44 years and I've never ever seen anything like this," she said. | "I've lived here 44 years and I've never ever seen anything like this," she said. |
"It really has been like a freak accident. It's not something I want to see again. | "It really has been like a freak accident. It's not something I want to see again. |
"My 16-year-old son was wading through [water] taking sandbags and it was coming up to his waist on Thursday." | "My 16-year-old son was wading through [water] taking sandbags and it was coming up to his waist on Thursday." |
Ms Lowndes said she and her family had been helping fellow residents and flood victims with relief efforts. | Ms Lowndes said she and her family had been helping fellow residents and flood victims with relief efforts. |
"The community have been incredible. | "The community have been incredible. |
"We've had people from the surrounding areas bringing in food, donating money. It really has been incredible. | "We've had people from the surrounding areas bringing in food, donating money. It really has been incredible. |
"Hopefully we'll get Wainfleet back." | "Hopefully we'll get Wainfleet back." |
Derek Driver, 76, said he and his wife had "lost everything on the ground floor" of their house when it was flooded. | Derek Driver, 76, said he and his wife had "lost everything on the ground floor" of their house when it was flooded. |
"The water started trickling in, and then it came in much faster. We started moving things on top of higher surfaces," he said. | "The water started trickling in, and then it came in much faster. We started moving things on top of higher surfaces," he said. |
"We couldn't manage to take anything heavy upstairs." | "We couldn't manage to take anything heavy upstairs." |
He said the couple have been staying in a hotel with their dog, where they could remain "until maybe next week". | He said the couple have been staying in a hotel with their dog, where they could remain "until maybe next week". |
"We're worried because we're not insured," he added. "We couldn't get it because we are on a flood plain." | "We're worried because we're not insured," he added. "We couldn't get it because we are on a flood plain." |
Steve Nichols, who runs Lincolnshire Wildlife Park in the neighbouring town of Friskney, said a parrot died when the site became flooded. | |
"We had a surge that came through the park," he said. | |
"For whatever reason she decided to go in to one of the low boxes and sadly - I think it was a mixture of the cold and the shock and everything that - she just passed away." | |
Lincolnshire Police issued an advisory notice limiting the use of toilets, showers, dishwashers and washing machines. | Lincolnshire Police issued an advisory notice limiting the use of toilets, showers, dishwashers and washing machines. |
They said people may have to stay away from their homes until the end of the week. | They said people may have to stay away from their homes until the end of the week. |
In total, six flood warnings are in place for England, mostly in the west and north-east Midlands. | In total, six flood warnings are in place for England, mostly in the west and north-east Midlands. |
Have you been evacuated from your home? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Have you been evacuated from your home? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below: | Or use the form below: |