Flooding disruption in Lincolnshire amid heavy rain
Heavy rain has been causing problems for motorists, rail users and residents in Lincolnshire.
The Environment Agency had 19 flood alerts in place earlier but wet weather has now led to two flood warnings. Staff from the agency, Met Office and councils are monitoring the situation at Emergency Planning HQ in Lincoln. Flooding closed roads in Grantham and Harlaxton and disrupted train services between Nottingham and Skegness and on the East Coast mainline. The average monthly rainfall for the Midlands in July is about 60mm and between 20 and 60mm is predicted to fall over 24 hours. By 12:00 BST, 38mm of rain had been measured in Holbeach. Flood warnings, which mean problems are imminent, were issued for Swaton near Boston and two streams in Grantham. An amber warning, which means people should be prepared for problems, was in place for the East Midlands. More than 20 roads in Lincolnshire were closed due to flooding, including the A52 Bridge End Road in Grantham and A607 High Street in Harlaxton. More than 40 properties were flooded, with Billingborough and Horbling near Sleaford worst hit. Train services between Nottingham and Grantham were delayed by a reported landslip, while flooding between Newark and Grantham caused disruption on the East Coast mainline. 'Swimming pool' Michael Cross, from Long Sutton Wildlife Park, said the rain had caused serious problems. "The playground is awash, we have had flooding in the birds of prey, flooding in the kitchen. "We have had to call a company in to clear the drains - we don't know whether we are a butterfly park or a swimming pool." Saturday's Race for Life at Lincolnshire Showground has been postponed, while the Riverside Festival in Stamford has been called off because the ground is waterlogged. Ian Reed, from the joint emergency management service, located at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue headquarters in Lincoln, said: "We are getting really up-to-date forecasts but it is a fast-changing situation. "The data we are getting is still changing but we are expecting up to 60mm of rain in a worst-case scenario, but we will monitor that." Further showers, some heavy and thundery, are forecast over the weekend.