Six hundred flood-hit families forced to evacuate over the weekend are being warned they may have to wait longer to return to their homes as they brace themselves for more rain this week.
The RAF was drafted in across Lincolnshire after two months’ worth of rain fell in just two days last week, bursting the banks of the River Steeping and causing chaos for households in nearby Wainfleet All Saints.
Officials claim more than a thousand people could be forced to flee with Met Office forecasters warning of more heavy showers, strong winds and lightning from 6pm tomorrow until 9pm on Wednesday.
The military is using pumps to channel flood water back into the Steeping in a desperate bid to lower water levels, while planes drop sand bags from above.
Lincolnshire Police has urged flood-hit families not to use their toilets, showers or washing machines, as officers fear it could put further pressure on sewage systems in the area.
The Environment Agency currently has seven flood warnings and 19 flood alerts in place for Lincolnshire and the rest of the Midlands.
Heavy showers are also expected in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north east of England today, while London and the south east escape the chaos with a cloudy start to the week, until thunderstorms hit tomorrow evening.
Homes in Wainfleet All Saints, Lincolnshire were flooded up to their front door handles over the weekend after the nearby River Steeping burst its banks. One home is pictured with a flooded garden this morning as military efforts continue
Lisa Grant, a resident of Wainfleet All Saints in Lincolnshire, peers out of her window to be greeted by more floods this morning. Sandbags were placed at her door to prevent water damage
High volume pumps are being used to pump flood water back into the River Steeping in Lincolnshire in a desperate bid to lower water levels as homes in nearby Wainfleet All Saints remain flooded
A white van wades through floodwater in Wainfleet this morning after two months’ of rain fell in just two days last week
A caravan partly submerged by floodwater in Wainfleet All Saints in Lincolnshire, where streets and properties flooded after the town had more than two months’ worth of rain in just two days over the weekend
Met Office weather warnings are in place for thunderstorms in the south east, east and Midlands on Tuesday and Wednesday
Meteorologist Dean Hall said officials are ‘keeping an eye on flood-hit Wainfleet, saying: ‘We are keeping an eye on it as there could be some issues with surface water and flooding.’
Heavy showers could mean residents have to wait even longer to return to their homes after the Steeping first burst its banks on Wednesday.
More heavy showers are on the way for the East Midlands
RAF Chinook helicopters dropped an additional 76 tonnes of sand and ballast in the area on Sunday after drafting in 270 one-tonne sandbags in an attempt to repair the bank on Friday.
Families living in Wainfleet All Saints and nearby Thorpe Culvert were told to leave on Saturday as rain continued to hit the area.
On Saturday night, the bell to evacuate a further 300 homes was sounded and officers from the Environment Agency and Maritime and Coastguard Agency helped families make their way to higher ground. Dozens spent the night in temporary emergency centres.
Anglian Water Services also requested Wainfleet residents avoid using washing machines, toilets and showers during the flooding, while water pumps were drafted in by the Environment Agency on Sunday to ease the flow.
In the south east temperatures could reach 71F (22C), but the skies will remain cloudy ahead of rainfall tomorrow.
Rain will also hit parts of north west England, the Midlands and Wales today, but will die out out by the evening, according to forecasters.
London, the south east and the East Midlands face travel disruption tomorrow and Wednesday, as lightning strikes risk delaying or cancelling services.
Experts claim more than a thousand people could be forced to flee in Wainfleet (pumps pictured on the River Steeping today) with Met Office forecasters warning of more heavy showers, strong winds and lightning from 6pm tomorrow until 9pm on Wednesday
Youngsters in Wainfleet All Saints were faced with the sight of their toys submerged in floodwater this morning
Children’s toys are pictured drowning in floodwater in Wainfleet as the RAF continues to battle water levels today
‘There will be the odd heavier shower towards the East Midlands but these will be few and far between,’ Mr Hall added.
The Met Office’s yellow thunderstorm warning reads: ‘There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.’
Forecasters also warn of travel disruption on trains, buses and roads, adding: Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services. Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.’
An Environment Agency spokesman said: ‘Heavy rain last week across Lincolnshire has caused an ongoing flooding incident in Wainfleet. The River Steeping has breached river defences along the Wainfleet Relief channel. Around 130 properties are flooded in Wainfleet.
‘Military aid has assisted in stemming the flow from the river. There is a command centre set up at the Fire and Rescue building in Wainfleet. It is possible that further properties could be affected.
A pump is pictured on the banks of the River Steeping in Lincolnshire where up to 1,000 people could be evacuated this week
An Environment Agency worker is pictured monitoring pumping on the River Steeping. There are currently seven flood warnings in place and 19 flood alerts
‘The Lincolnshire Local Resilience Forum has taken the decision to evacuate the highest risk areas and the most vulnerable in Wainfleet.
‘River levels are falling slowly however they will remain very high for the next few days. More rainfall is forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, which we will be closely monitoring.
‘Our staff are out in the area assisting the military, emergency services and council. Remain safe and be aware of your local surroundings. We are closely monitoring the situation.’
An aerial photo from the weekend shows flooding in Wainfleet All Saints in Lincolnshire. A house next to a level crossing has been submerged along with the railway line and a blue car. Almost 600 families have been evacuated from the area
Floodwaters rushed over fields and a railway line after the River Steeping burst its banks near Wainfleet All Saints last week