Storm Darragh brought widespread disruption to Lincolnshire over the weekend, leaving hundreds of homes without power, prompting flood alerts, and forcing the cancellation of several festive events.
The storm, characterized by strong winds, knocked out electricity to 300 properties in the villages of Belchford and Fulletby on Saturday night. The National Grid confirmed that engineers worked throughout Sunday to restore power, successfully reconnecting affected homes by the afternoon.
Events across the county felt the impact of the severe weather. Christmas markets in Louth and Horncastle, scheduled for Sunday, were cancelled, disappointing many residents eager to kick off the festive season. Santa runs in Grantham, Skegness, and Stamford were also postponed, now rescheduled to 15 December.
Nick Wells, organiser of the Stamford Santa run, explained that the decision to delay the event came after Burghley Estates, the host venue, closed Burghley Park due to concerns over falling branches. “Safety is our top priority, and with high winds continuing, it was the right call to postpone,” said Wells.
The National Trust’s Belton Estate and the Walled Garden Baumber, near Horncastle, also closed their gates on Sunday due to the adverse conditions. Lincoln Castle was temporarily shut down while staff assessed potential damage to the structure of its wooden gate, though the council announced plans to reopen on Monday.
Flood Alerts and Warnings Persist
By Sunday afternoon, the Environment Agency had issued seven flood alerts across Lincolnshire, highlighting areas at risk of flooding, particularly to the east of Lincoln. The agency’s map showed zones marked in orange, urging residents in these areas to remain vigilant.
A yellow weather warning for wind issued by the Met Office remained in force until 18:00 GMT on Sunday, with forecasters cautioning against further disruptions caused by gusty conditions.
Roads Blocked, Emergency Calls Surge
Storm Darragh also led to chaos on the roads, with Lincolnshire Police responding to approximately 100 weather-related incidents. Fallen trees obstructed routes in Skellingthorpe, Market Deeping, Holbeach, Old Leake, and Welbourn, making travel hazardous and further straining emergency services.
“Clearing roads and ensuring public safety has been our priority during this challenging weekend,” a police spokesperson said.
Community Resilience Tested
Despite the disruptions, Lincolnshire communities demonstrated resilience and adaptability. Events such as the postponed Santa runs have already been rescheduled, while essential services worked tirelessly to address power outages and road obstructions.
Residents are advised to stay updated on flood warnings and weather forecasts in the coming days, as the aftereffects of Storm Darragh continue to pose challenges to the region.
As the county begins recovery efforts, authorities remind everyone to prioritize safety, particularly in areas still under flood alerts or with potential wind damage.
