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Boston flooding: Two hundred residents in temporary accommodation | |
(about 14 hours later) | |
About 200 Boston residents are still waiting to return to their homes after flooding hit large parts of the town. | |
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. |
Boston Borough Council said the majority of those affected were staying with friends and family, with some being put up in local hotels. | |
The authority said it was working with other councils to provide accommodation while repairs were carried out. | |
On Friday, people in nearby Wyberton were also told to prepare to leave their homes after damage to the flood defences was identified. | |
However, engineers managed to repair the damage ahead of the evening's high tide. | |
The Environment Agency said Boston was one of the worst affected areas, with 300 homes flooded. | |
It 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. | 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. | Volunteers calling themselves the Boston Clean Up Crew have been on the streets supporting the clear-up operation. |
'Tidal wave' | |
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. |
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. |
He said: "The key concern now is around the safety and risk to people living near flood water and dealing with the aftermath." | |
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. |