Christmas toys ruined as flood hits family home

A mother has told of her family's dismay after floodwater surged through their home.

Emma Woolley, who lives in Belton Lane, Grantham, said the water had caused extensive damage to the property.

She said the water had entered the house from the back and was probably about 8in (20cm) up the wall at its worst.

As well as the damage to the house, she said some of her two-year-old daughter's Christmas presents, including a doll's house, had been ruined.

A major incident was declared by the authorities on Monday and nearly 200 properties have been flooded across Greater Lincolnshire.

The Environment Agency also issued more than 30 flood warnings, including for the River Witham in Grantham.

Around 20 properties in Belton Lane were affected, as well as a large area of nearby Wyndham Park.

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'Our flooded home is unsafe for our twin babies'

Mrs Woolley said she had been at work when her husband Jakob called to say there was water in the garage.

A friend then called to tell her water was entering the house and to ask if she needed any help.

"There's not really a lot you can do, other than salvage bits and bobs," she said.

"We tried our best to get what we could upstairs - but it's upsetting because it's your home and it's things that you have worked hard for."

Mrs Woolley, who has another child on the way, said as well as the doll's house, her daughter's toy pram and other items were left covered in mud.

"It's overwhelming and you feel powerless," she added.

She said luckily her daughter was at her grandmother's when the surge came, and has been told that the house was "poorly" at the moment.

"When it's your family home - the place she feels safe - it's tricky."

Mrs Woolley said they were now just trying to "work through things as best we can", but added she had no idea how long it would take to get back to normal.

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