River flood warnings remain in Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire

  • Published
Mobile homes surrounded by waterImage source, Steve Hubbard/BBC
Image caption,

Residents still at the waterlogged Billing Aquadrome leisure park have been urged to leave

Storm Henk continues to cause problems across parts of Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire.

Several flood warnings remain in force across both counties and many roads have been impassable.

Severe flood warnings, which indicate a risk to life, have now been removed but Billing Aquadrome in Northampton has been evacuated.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service has urged people to continue to check warnings and drive with care.

Image caption,

Mary Brown was one of the people who had to leave Billing Aquadrome near Northampton

Mary Brown, who lives at the aquadrome, told BBC Radio Northampton: "Luckily, we were outside our van and we heard the sirens go off at one o'clock and usually that means flooding is imminent.

"We have been watching the flood gates over the last few days, and noticed how high they'd gone, so we knew it was possible that we would have to get off."

Image source, PA Media/Callum Parke
Image caption,

Robert Britchford, who lives at Billing Aquadrome, believes 2,000 people have been evacuated from the site.

Robert Britchford, another of the residents evacuated from caravans at the site, estimated that about 2,000 people had to leave their properties on Tuesday afternoon.

He said: "You are hoping for the best but you're fearing for the worst. They've turned the electrics off so everything in your freezer has gone, and in the sheds how high it is will depend on whether the washing machine and tumble dryer have gone.

"But in the caravan itself, if water gets in there, you may as well scrap it and start again. That's the fear at the moment - how high has it gone?"

PA Media reported that residents in houseboats were being taken to the shore in rubber boats after a walkway was submerged by rising water.

Image source, PA Media
Image caption,

People living in boats at Billing Aquadrome had to be taken to the shore in rubber boats

The local resilience forum, which includes emergency services and councils, says an operation is underway to evacuate about 130 people still on site.

A spokesperson said: "While we cannot compel anyone to leave, we are strongly advising people to come with us now so we can bring them to safety in a controlled and coordinated way during daylight hours.

"While site management will continue to monitor the situation and liaise with the LRF and Environment Agency (EA), anyone who chooses to stay does so at their own risk, so we really do want people to make that choice to come now."

Image source, Northamptonshire Police
Image caption,

Mobile homes are surrounded by water at Billing Aquadrome

Mick Berry, an area commander for the Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The water is going to stay high for some time across the county.

"We asking people to check information on websites and social media, and only make journeys if it is essential."

Image source, Russ Bulley
Image caption,

Roads in the village of Barnwell, near the River Nene in east Northamptonshire, are under water

Image source, Watling Reclamation
Image caption,

Floodwater made the A5 near Towcester impassable

River levels are also "steadily" rising in response to steady rainfall from Storm Henk in Cambridge.

The EA said areas at risk of flooding included School Lane and Wheatsheaf Road in Eaton Socon, Wren Walk and Hardwick Road.

There are also concerns at St Marys Street in Eynesbury, St Neots Road, Mill Hill Road and Cross Hall Road in Eaton Ford.

An EA spokesperson has urged people to move their cars out of flood risk areas and avoid walking or driving through the flood water.

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