Lincolnshire flooding: Storm Babet hits homes and forces schools to close

Storm Babet has caused homes and roads to flood and schools to close as more than a month's worth of rain fell in Lincolnshire.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) said it had taken 330 flood-related calls.

Ian Reed, the county council's head of emergency planning, said the worst-affected areas included Woodhall Spa and Horncastle.

Thirteen flood warnings are now in place across Lincolnshire.

Mr Reed said flooding had been recorded "pretty much across the county".

"It's fair to say we had more rain than was forecast, and it has stayed over Lincolnshire for a longer period of time.

"We are seeing quite a bit of impact around Woodhall Spa, Horncastle, Kirkby on Bain, but it's not exclusive to those areas.

"We have got bits of flooding in Lincoln, West Lindsey, East Lindsey and South Kesteven."

BBC Look North weather presenter Keeley Donovan said by midday 63mm (2.5in) of rain had fallen in Waddington.

She added: "In parts of Lincolnshire, we have, this morning alone, had more than a month's worth of rain."

The Met Office has issued yellow and amber weather warnings across the region, with a forecast of heavy and persistent rain and wind until 06:00 BST on Saturday.

The Lincolnshire Resilience Forum has been activated to coordinate the efforts of the different agencies.

Lincolnshire County Council said Bracebridge Infant and Nursery School, Horncastle Primary School and Kirkby on Bain School were closed due to weather-related reasons.

The BBC understands several homes in Middle Rasen and Minting near Horncastle have flooded.

Northern Powergrid said more than 4,000 properties were without power across East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.

Helen Tooley, divisional commander at LFRS, said: "We've had a lot of flooding and also some unsafe structures, because it's been very windy.

"Flooding is starting to go into people's houses and properties and some accidents on the roads."

Vicki Brown, from Minting, near Horncastle, was forced to evacuate her bungalow in the early hours.

She said: "It started at about four o'clock when the dog woke me up splashing, which I thought was a bit odd."

It is not just people who have had to leave their homes.

Jamie Mintram, co-founder of the aptly-named ARK Wildlife Park in Stickney, said he was forced to evacuate a number of animals, including Arctic foxes and rabbits, when water started entering enclosures.

He joked: "We we moving them a lot more than two by two. In places, we have several inches of water. But all the animals are safe and sound."

Mr Mintram said the attraction was closed due to the flooding but was expected to reopen on Saturday.

Maria Thompson, spokeswoman for Bransby Horses, a rescue centre, said staff had to move 70 horses off an area known as the Till Washlands after the Environment Agency said the land may need to be flooded to protect Lincoln.

In Grantham, at about 10:00 GMT, a large tree toppled onto a car belonging to Jodie Munn in Bridge End Road.

She said: "We were sat in my mum's dining room. All of a sudden we saw the tree just blow down. I ran outside ands was just like, not my car!"

Insp Jason Baxter, of Lincolnshire Police, said people should avoid travelling if they could.

He added: "I've heard from colleagues in fire and rescue this morning and they've rescued someone trapped in a vehicle in standing water. Not only is it dangerous [floodwater], it will also damage your car."

Both footways on the Humber Bridge have been shut and the structure is closed to high-sided vehicles.

In Middle Rasen, driving conditions have been made difficult by standing water, with police urging drivers across the county to take care on the roads.

No LNER and Hull Trains services are running between Grantham and Newark Northgate due to signally problems and water on the tracks.

Councillor Stephen Bunney, who sits on Lincolnshire County Council, said one resident in the village whose home had been flooded, climbed out of a window to escape the water.

He told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "He woke up early morning and heard the water.

"He got onto the ground and the water went straight to his legs so he climbed out of his window to make sure he was safe."

Speaking earlier, Frank de Planta, from the Environment Agency, said staff were preparing for "the worst case scenario".

Lincolnshire County Council said people could report flooding via its website or by calling 01522 782082.

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