Billing Aquadrome evacuated after flooding from River Nene affecting 900 static homes
Emergency services on the scene at the evacuation of Billing Aquadrome in Northamptonshire.
A leisure park is being evacuated, with 900 motorhomes affected, and has now been closed after overnight flooding.
Firefighters were called to Billing Aquadrome near Northampton just after 4am on Saturday, 10 February, after the nearby River Nene flooded.
It comes just weeks after the park was evacuated because of flooding.
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service station commander Andy Luxton who was helping the evacuation confirmed 900 mobile homes had been affected and water was at its highest at knee high level just after 10am.
He said: "Billing Aquadrome is closed due to flooding from the River Nene. The fire service is in attendance to assist on site staff with evacuation action of the vulnerable.
"Billing Aquadrome is monitoring water levels along with partner agencies and will provide further updates to residents as soon as possible.
"Work is ongoing to achieve full evacuation of the site. People are being taken to the reception are of the site and being advised to leave."
He said firefighters worked with paramedics, police officers and environment agency staff and firefighters left the scene after lunchtime on Saturday.
Billing Aquadrome was approached for comment but on Saturday 10 February it posted on its Facebook page: "Following the flood warning that was announced last night, unfortunately we can confirm the river banks have breached and water levels continue to rise on the park.
"Please ensure that you remain safe and do not attempt to return until it is safe to do so.
"We continue to monitor this closely and as soon as we have any update we will be sure to let you know as soon as possible."
An Environment Agency flood warning remains for the River Nene at Billing Aquadrome and nearby business parks as well as one at nearby Cogenhoe Mill Caravan Park and some properties from Cogenhoe to Great Doddington.
Flood warnings are also in place for the River Nene in Wellingborough area and in total there are around 12 flood warnings in the Northampton and Bedfordshire area.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said there was one flood warning in place in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk.
Cllr Jonathan Nunn, leader of West Northants Council, said: "Due to the significant amount of rainfall breaching river banks and with high water levels over the last 24 hours, residents at Billing Aquadrome are being evacuated due to health and welfare concerns.
"We’re working closely with our Local Resilience Forum partners including Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue service to support Billing’s management team with the evacuation.
"As an urgent priority, we have assisted vulnerable residents with packages of support.
"We are providing camp beds and hot food and working with the Red Cross who are also on site offering their support.
"For residents who do not have any alternative accommodation, we will provide this to them to ensure they have somewhere safe and warm to go to.
"We will continue to support the management at Billing Aquadrome with arrangements on site, until water levels drop and residents can return safely."
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