Title: Lingering Damage from January Floods Continues to Upset Boston Residents
Six months on from the terrible floods in Boston, Lincolnshire, residents are still dealing with major disruption in their day-to-day activities. The disastrous night of 6th January saw thirty-six homes suffer extensive ground floor damage due to overflow from the South Forty Foot Drain. It is popularly believed among the locals that the damage could have been minimised if the nearby Environment Agency pumping station, which was damaged in 2013, had been functioning properly. However, the Agency insists that the severity of the flooding was predominantly due to extraordinary rainfall, and a working station might not have mitigated the impact.
Kelly Saunby, mother to four children, is among many individuals who are still living in homes that are not fit for purpose. She said, “I have holes in the back door, a rat infestation and exposed wires in the kitchen”. With construction work ongoing day and night, finding a peaceful moment for rest has become challenging. In a similar condition, Glenn Parsons has been restricted to his bedroom since January, as he awaits the delivery of new living room furniture. “It’s been a nightmare,” he vented, expressing deep concern about the possibility of further floods.
The occurrence of this extreme flooding event matched the record river levels, affecting over 200 homes across Greater Lincolnshire. As a result, the East Midlands Ambulance Service proclaimed a critical incident. Despite the pledges made by the Environment Agency to improve flood defences and warnings, concerns persist. An investigation into the incident showed that the floodwaters had breached and trickled through the defences. This served as a stark reminder that although improvements can certainly be made, the risk of flood can never be completely eliminated.
As winter looms, residents like Ms Saunby are filled with anxiety about what might happen next. The Environment Agency recognises these concerns, highlighting how climate change is escalating flood risks. The unfortunate situation faced by Boston’s residents emphasises an urgent requirement for solid flood management strategies, particularly as extreme weather events are predicted to increase in frequency.
This story was adapted from original reporting by www.bbc.com by The Lincoln Post.
