Lincolnshire flood risk increased by groundwater level - expert

Dr Paul Ellis says Lincolnshire is vulnerable due to its geology

A flooding expert has warned of unusually high levels of groundwater accumulating beneath Lincolnshire.

Dr Paul Ellis, from environmental consultancy Geosmart, said this increased the potential for flooding.

Heavy rainfall in recent weeks, linked to Storm Babet, meant boreholes and aquifers were "exceptionally high".

Dr Ellis suggested the geological make-up of the county made it particularly vulnerable.

Horncastle was badly affected by the flooding in October

He said: "At the moment we have a very sharp rise in groundwater levels…with Storm Babet and all the other rainfall we've had. It's one of the steepest rises I've ever seen.

"You'd expect to see them in January but we're seeing them now in November."

Dr Ellis said groundwater levels were often overlooked when it came to assessing flood risk and the types of rock beneath Lincolnshire meant that huge quantities of water are absorbed and stored when it rains.

"When groundwater levels are high you'll get more base flow in the streams and drainage ditches and the next time you get a rainfall event, that rainfall will be more likely to create flooding," he said.

Parts of Lincolnshire are still recovering from flooding.

The heavy rainfall that started at the end of October hit dozens of communities hard. According to Lincolnshire County Council, more than 600 properties flooded when between a month and two months of rain fell in 24 hours.

There are ongoing investigations by the Environment Agency into the widespread flooding in Horncastle, a community where millions has been spent on flood defences but where the defence system failed during Storm Babet.

Many victims are still trying to get their lives back on track.

Jean and Kevin Hart's home in Wainfleet was flooded for the second time in four years.

Ms Hart said: "I can't describe it to anybody that hasn't experienced a flood; as soon as it starts to rain your anxiety goes right up. I am constantly getting out of bed opening the doors and checking everything. And that happens all the time. It's not a good feeling."

Jean Hart shows BBC Look North here damaged home

Experts have identified several communities in Lincolnshire where raised groundwater levels are a problem. They include parts of Bourne and Grimsby.

In Barton, where there is a history of groundwater flooding, resident Trenn Fisher was wary.

He said: "We have a dyke that runs close to our property and if that overtops I am in the firing line. There is a field next to us which has soaked up water in the past but they are now building housing on it and I am concerned this will raise the risk of flooding.

Councillor Colin Davie, the county council's executive member for environment, previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that it was going to take a "considerable period of time" to resolve the issue of flooding.

"We also have to hope and pray that we don't get even further heavy rainfalls now that the ground is totally saturated," he added.