In the wake of unprecedented flooding, local businesses, volunteers, emergency services, and media have rallied together to support the Boston community. Tony Skinner Builders, Total Aggregates Ltd, Vertu Honda Boston, and the Lincolnshire Community Assistance Team have gone above and beyond to help those affected, with Boston VIBE reporting live to keep residents informed throughout the crisis.
The Lincolnshire Resilience Forum declared a major incident on Monday lunchtime following relentless rainfall that caused widespread flooding. On Monday night, the South Forty Foot Drain overtopped, flooding properties on Park Road and Wyberton West Road. Meanwhile, the River Steeping in Wainfleet also overtopped, forcing sluice gates to close and leaving the swollen river with nowhere to flow. East Midlands Ambulance Service declared a critical incident as emergency call volumes soared, and operational challenges mounted due to severe weather conditions.
Tony Skinner Builders stepped up on Tuesday with a remarkable effort sparked by one employee’s concern for their elderly neighbour. Recognising the need for immediate action, Tony Skinner sourced a larger quantity of sand and mobilised his team to deliver 400 sandbags, approximately 5 tonnes of sand, to properties at risk.
Tony explained: “One of my employees was worried about their elderly neighbour and wanted to deliver some sandbags for protection. That’s when we decided to scale up our efforts and make a bigger impact. It’s about doing what we can to support the community during times like these.”
On Monday night, Total Aggregates Ltd also played a crucial role, providing sand to residents in Wainfleet as floodwaters rose and high tide approached. George Harrison, Contract Manager at Total Aggregates Ltd, said: “When we received the call, we knew immediate action was needed. Our team worked quickly to get sand where it was most needed so residents could protect their homes. It’s during times like these that community support is vital, and we’re proud to have played our part.”
Volunteers from the Lincolnshire Community Assistance Team stood ready, with 4×4 vehicles on standby to mobilise for rescue efforts. Their commitment, shared on social media, has provided added reassurance to communities dealing with the crisis.
Throughout the night, our own reporters observed high tide at both Sluice Bridge and the Black Sluice, where the South Forty Foot Drain flows into The Haven. Our updates kept residents informed, emphasising the critical role of local media in times of emergency.
Vertu Honda Boston offered additional support, posting on Facebook: “With flood alerts still in place, our thoughts are with our local community and anyone affected by the recent weather. At the very least, we can offer a hot drink and refreshments to anyone working locally to improve this situation.”
Road closures remain in place on Park Road, Wyberton West Road, and Chain Bridge Road, with Lincolnshire County Council confirming these will stay closed for the foreseeable future as floodwaters recede and safety assessments are completed.
The combined efforts of businesses, volunteers, emergency services, and media have showcased the strength and unity of the Boston community. Residents have expressed immense gratitude for the generosity and quick action demonstrated during this challenging time.
Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer and Chair of Lincolnshire Resilience Forum, said: “It’s been a really challenging few days for many people in our communities and we know this is likely to continue for some time for those who have been flooded. Agencies around the county are working together now to look at offering assistance, ranging from funding to clean-up. There’s still a lot to be discussed and the focus of the group is to help people impacted to get back to normal as soon as possible.
“People in Lincolnshire have really pulled together to help and respond to flooding this week. Local community groups have implemented their Community Resilience Plans and provided much needed support and advice to impacted residents.
“As an LRF we have moved away from our emergency response phase and now hand over to colleagues in Local Authorities and other agencies, who will work on the recovery phase of the multiagency response. It’s key that the public is involved in this. We need information from people in our communities about what’s happening in your local area to help us assess and react to situations, any concerns you might have, and we can also help you find information and support. Working together is key to recovering from the dreadful impact of flooding.
“We know that people might be struggling not only with the practical issues as a result of flooding but also the mental and emotional side because having your home or business damaged, or being displaced from it, will of course have an impact. There are several local services who can help and support with that, including housing, so do access them if you need to.
“I have been touched by the way people in Lincolnshire have pulled together to help one another in recent days and have worked with agencies who have been deployed in response to flooding. Community spirit and resilience has really shone through in such trying times.”
For updates on road closures, visit our Travel Updates page – https://bostonvibe.co.uk/2025/01/08/live-travel-updates-road-closures/
