Wainfleet flooding: RAF helps to stem River Steeping breach

A Chinook helicopter lifts large bags to plug the breach in the River Steeping

Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter — A Chinook helicopter lifts large bags to plug the breach in the River Steeping

RAF crews have dropped more than 100 tonnes of ballast to block a breach in a river bank which caused severe flooding in a town.

The River Steeping burst its banks at Wainfleet All Saints, Lincolnshire, on Wednesday after the equivalent of two months' rain fell in two days.

A state of emergency was declared on Thursday with more than 70 properties flooded and residents evacuated.

Three Chinook helicopters were at the scene on Friday evening.

Ian Reed, the head of emergency planning in Lincolnshire, said: "We're confident that we are definitely seeing a change and, whilst water levels are not going to go down really quickly, it is helping and it's doing exactly what we wanted it to do.

"So, that operation has been a success.

"It's a temporary measure, but it's doing what it set out to achieve."

A firefighter was taken to hospital with minor injuries after he was injured moving equipment overnight on Thursday in Wainfleet.

Assistant Chief Constable Shaun West of Lincolnshire Police said the rescue effort was showing some early signs of success.

"Where there were thousands of gallons of water gushing through that breach when I started, that is starting to stem."

Crews are dropping ballast and sand in a bid to block a breach in the River Steeping

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Crews loading the Chinook helicopter — Crews are dropping ballast and sand in a bid to block a breach in the River Steeping

Officials said the operation is expected to continue until late in the evening

MOD RAF Chinook and crew — Officials said the operation is expected to continue until late in the evening

The river breached its banks near Wainfleet All Saints after persistent heavy rainfall

Kurnia Aerial Photography The breach on the River Steeping — The river breached its banks near Wainfleet All Saints after persistent heavy rainfall

Residents in Wainfleet were still being removed by fire crews on Friday

PA Residents are taken to safety in an inflatable boat by rescue workers in Wainfleet — Residents in Wainfleet were still being removed by fire crews on Friday

The town had more than two months' rain in just two days

PA Rescue workers in Wainfleet — The town had more than two months' rain in just two days

A rest centre for Wainfleet residents was set up in nearby Skegness.

Parts of Wainfleet were badly hit by the flooding

Empics Wainfleet flooding — Parts of Wainfleet were badly hit by the flooding

Police praised the community spirit shown by people in Wainfleet who helped with the recue effort

People being evacuated from Wainfleet — Police praised the community spirit shown by people in Wainfleet who helped with the recue effort

Jean Hart, who has lived in Wainfleet for 40 years, said it was the worst flooding she had ever seen.

"To see our house under water is absolutely horrendous," she said. "The whole of my house is completely devastated."

Wainfleet resident Jean Hart posted a picture of the flood waters in her bathroom

Jean Hart Flooding at Jean Hart's property in Wainfleet — Wainfleet resident Jean Hart posted a picture of the flood waters in her bathroom

She was reunited with her tortoise, Mr T

Jean Hart with Mr T, the tortoise — She was reunited with her tortoise, Mr T

She said she and her husband Kevin were now at a loss as to what to do.

"[You realise the] things you take for granted," she said.

"It's not just us - so many people are in the same situation and my heart goes out to them."

Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].