More than 250 acres of our land remains flooded today following heavy rainfall caused by Storm Babet.
Despite the brighter weather over the weekend, the flood waters have continued to rise and we can now estimate that over 40 per cent is now under water, which amounts to over 250 football fields.
Victoria Elliot, Head of Estates said: “Despite moving 100 horses to safety, many have had to be moved again following rising water levels. Looking at this week’s forecast we may see the current situation get worse and the impact will continue long after the water subsides and will almost certainly impact our winter grazing.”
On Friday morning (20th October) we received a two hour warning from the Environment Agency to say they may deliberately flood the Till Washlands, which includes some of our grazing for 300 rescued equines, to prevent further flooding in Lincoln.
100 Horses Moved To Safety During Storm
Over 70 horses were immediately removed from affected fields and another 30 were moved to safety over the weekend after the floodgates were opened.
It is possible our ability to take in new rescues will be affected in the coming weeks but at this point the full impact on our ability to operate is under review.
Further updates will be made on here and through our social media channels.
We work very closely with the Environment Agency to reduce flooding in Lincoln by using our grazing land as flood plains, but sadly they receive no funding or compensation for this. The impact of the flooding will be an additional cost coming at an already difficult economic time.
Sally Banton Executive Director of Engagement and Income Generation said: “At the moment weather permitting we are open to visitors.
“It was less than two weeks ago that we won the Best Small Visitor Attraction Award at the Destination Lincolnshire awards and we don’t want to disappoint our supporters, especially during the half term school holidays. Now more than ever we need to continue raising funds for the charity to help pay for the cost of the latest flooding.
“Our Café is open and our half term activities, including Pecan’s Pumpkin Patch, are in full swing. By visiting us you are helping to support us through this crisis and we’d like to say thank you to everyone who visits and supports us.”
It will only be over the coming weeks that we will know the full extent and cost of this crisis.
A web page has been set up for anyone who would like to support us through this challenging period.
