This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-25254770

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Boston homes evacuated after flooding Boston homes evacuated after flooding
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of homes have been evacuated after flooding caused by a tidal surge on the Lincolnshire coast. Hundreds of homes have been evacuated during flooding caused by a tidal surge on the Lincolnshire coast.
The River Haven in Boston burst its banks at about 19:00 GMT on Thursday, flooding nearby streets and properties.The River Haven in Boston burst its banks at about 19:00 GMT on Thursday, flooding nearby streets and properties.
Affected residents were taken to the Prince William of Gloucester Barracks in Grantham.
The Environment Agency said flood defences in the town seemed to be holding after the latest high tide at 08:00 GMT.The Environment Agency said flood defences in the town seemed to be holding after the latest high tide at 08:00 GMT.
But residents have been warned they may have to spend a second night away while their homes are made safe.
About 200 homes in Boston are without power and seven schools are closed.About 200 homes in Boston are without power and seven schools are closed.
There are five severe flood warnings in place for the town on Friday. There are five severe flood warnings in place for the town on Friday and several roads remain closed.
'Safety risk''Safety risk'
Insp Mark Garthwaite, from Lincolnshire Police, said it was thought that Boston had seen more flooding than coastal areas because The Wash acts as a funnel and pressure builds up as the waterway gets narrower along the River Haven. Insp Mark Garthwaite, from Lincolnshire Police, said it was thought Boston had seen more flooding than coastal areas because The Wash acts as a funnel where pressure builds up as the waterway gets narrower along the River Haven.
Boston Borough Council said evacuees were being moved from the Prince William of Gloucester Barracks in Grantham to a rest centre at the PGL camp in Caythorpe, which will "remain open as long as necessary".
A volunteer group, the Boston Clean Up Crew, has been set up and is liaising with police.A volunteer group, the Boston Clean Up Crew, has been set up and is liaising with police.
Leigh Edlin, from the Environment Agency, warned people not to risk their lives by going into flooded areas.Leigh Edlin, from the Environment Agency, warned people not to risk their lives by going into flooded areas.
"The key concern now is around the safety and risk to people living near flood water and dealing with the aftermath.""The key concern now is around the safety and risk to people living near flood water and dealing with the aftermath."
'Tidal wave'
The agency said the storm surge in Lincolnshire was the worst since 1953.The agency said the storm surge in Lincolnshire was the worst since 1953.
Resident Neil McCafferty said water was "literally pouring down the streets" on Thursday.Resident Neil McCafferty said water was "literally pouring down the streets" on Thursday.
"It is like a tidal wave coming down. It is something else," he said."It is like a tidal wave coming down. It is something else," he said.
'Devastating situation'
Mayor of Boston Paul Kenny said: "It's an experience that I hope we don't ever see in Boston again.Mayor of Boston Paul Kenny said: "It's an experience that I hope we don't ever see in Boston again.
"Hopefully we can get people's lives back together in the run up to Christmas.""Hopefully we can get people's lives back together in the run up to Christmas."
The town's St Botolph's church, also known as the Boston Stump, was severely damaged.
Fundraising manager Peter Coleman said the church, which had recently undergone a major renovation project, had about 2ft (0.6m) of water inside and 4ft (1.2m) outside the building.
"It's a rather devastating situation," he said.
Sea defences in Mablethorpe were also breached by the high tide. In Skegness, crowds gathered by the sea walls to watch and take pictures of the storm surge.Sea defences in Mablethorpe were also breached by the high tide. In Skegness, crowds gathered by the sea walls to watch and take pictures of the storm surge.