Almost 600 homes evacuated in Lincolnshire town after flooding

Updated

Hundreds of homes have been evacuated in a Lincolnshire town following severe flooding.

Residents in at least 590 homes in Wainfleet and Thorpe Culvert have been told to leave as waters continued to surge on Saturday.

The town first flooded on Wednesday after more than two months worth of rain fell in two days, causing the River Steeping to burst its banks.

On Friday, three RAF helicopters dropped 270 one-tonne sandbags in an attempt to repair the bank.

Lincolnshire Police have shared a list of more than 100 postcodes, all in the PE23 and PE24 area, where evacuations are possible.

The force said on Saturday afternoon: "Some occupiers in this area were advised to leave in this area yesterday. Our advice still remains and has been extended to around 300 homes (in addition to the 290 already advised and assisted to evacuate)."

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency are assisting with the evacuations.

They said: "HM Coastguard is assisting other emergency services and authorities in Lincolnshire this afternoon in response to further flooding.

"On Saturday June 15th, HM Coastguard is assisting with the evacuation of approximately 300 properties in Wainfleet.

"Three Coastguard rescue teams are on scene through the afternoon and the teams which are responding are from Mablethorpe, Skegness and Wrangle in Lincolnshire."

Local MP Matt Warman tweeted on Saturday evening: "I've just spoken to Environment Secretary Michael Gove who has been in close contact about the situation in Wainfleet.

"He was very clear: The Environment Agency will have access to every resource they need regardless of the cost and the first priority will always be protecting lives and homes."

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