Storm Henk flood victims fear six-month wait to return home

Residents in a Lincolnshire village say it could take up to six months before they are allowed to move back into their homes after flooding.

More than 100 properties were flooded in Lincolnshire in the aftermath of Storm Henk, including 29 in Greatford near Stamford.

Some residents said up to 1ft (0.30m) of water had entered their properties.

Meanwhile, the owner of the Waterside Garden Centre near Bourne said it had lost more than £1m of stock.

Greatford resident James Everitt said the village clean-up was going to take time.

He told the BBC: "We've seen the assessor and he's been very good.

"Our biggest problem is we've got to find alternative accommodation for up to six months because all of the walls are damp."

Last week, some residents in Greatford spent the night in a rest centre and others stayed with friends.

Two people had to be rescued from their homes in the village by firefighters using a boat.

Lois Webb, 79, one of those rescued, said she had lived in Greatford for more than 50 years and it was the first time her home had been flooded.

Ms Webb said people in the village had rallied round to support those forced out of their homes.

The community has also enlisted the services of a local security firm due to fears empty properties could be looted.

Resident Nigel Ashby said: "About a third of the village has empty properties and people are concerned."

Almost a month's worth of rain was believed to have fallen in the county in recent days as Storm Henk swept across the UK.

Elsewhere, the Waterside Garden Centre near Bourne lost more than £1m of stock.

Owner Andy Parrott said the water, which was up to 4ft (1.2m) in places, had caused a "horrendous" amount of damage.

"It is beyond belief," he said.

"We have nothing at the moment that works."

Part of Torksey Lock Caravan Park, 11 miles (17km) north-west of Lincoln, was also hit by floodwater.

About 25 people had been forced to leave their homes.

The Environment Agency previously said water levels in most parts of Lincolnshire were falling, but more than 100 properties had been flooded in the aftermath of Storm Henk.

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