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 1 Version 2
Boston homes evacuated after flooding Boston flooding: Wyberton evacuation warning
(about 9 hours later)
Hundreds of homes have been evacuated during flooding caused by a tidal surge on the Lincolnshire coast. People living in a Lincolnshire village are being advised to prepare for evacuation because of a breach in flood defences.
Hundreds of homes have already 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.
The Environment Agency said flood defences in the town seemed to be holding after the latest high tide at 08:00 GMT. Lincolnshire Police said a breach in flood defences had been identified near Wyberton, a village near Boston.
But residents have been warned they may have to spend a second night away while their homes are made safe. A spokesperson said: "There are no other issues in the Boston area and so no one outside Wyberton needs to evacuate."
About 200 homes in Boston are without power and seven schools are closed. Emergency services will visit homes that are identified as needing to be evacuated.
There are five severe flood warnings in place for the town on Friday and several roads remain closed. Police said everyone else should move to a safe place in their house, such as upstairs, or to a location out of Wyberton for the night.
Clean Up Crew
The Environment Agency has described the tidal surge, which affected the east coast, as "the most serious" for more than 60 years.
The MP for Boston, Mark Simmonds, has called for £100m to be spent on a new flood barrier for the town.
Volunteers calling themselves the Boston Clean Up Crew have been on the streets supporting the clear-up operation.
The Environment Agency said Boston was one of the worst affected areas, with 300 homes flooded.
More than 250 people were taken to evacuation centres.
Police said Boston residents could return home but they should not use gas and electricity supplies if their homes have been flooded and they are concerned about safety.
'Safety risk''Safety risk'
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.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.
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."
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''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.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.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."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.