How did they measure that then Gavin ?,the odd empty mead barrel lying about
possibly,
or how far up a maidens leg as she sank into a puddle........far more
interesting than a Snowden rainguage

Ronb
"Gavin Staples" wrote in message
...

"Graham Easterling" wrote in
message ...
I see that the EA have decided that the Boscastle flood is a once in 400
years event.

This despite the fact that there was an almost identical event in 1957.
The
descriptions of the flood were very similar, a wall of water coming down
the
valley into Boscastle. Possessions were washed out of properties down
into
the sea. The main difference in 1957 being that there were not dozens of
vehicles being washed through the village, and hence less structural
damage
to buildings. 203.2mm was recorded near Wadebridge, and at Tintagel the
rain
gauge overflowed.

I wonder if full account was taken of the unusual number of extreme
rainfall
events which take place just inland of the north Cornwall / north Devon
coast?

Graham

Penzance Weather www.easterling.freeserve.co.uk/weather.html



Statistically this maybe correct, but stats such as they are throw up
inconsistences. Torrentail downpours in the West Country like what was
experienced last year are not new.
The Lynmouth flood was a masisve one which occurred 50 years ago prior
to Boscastle.
I have also heard that geological evidence suggests that there was a
colossal flood in Devon in the 12th or 13th Century in which over 25
inches
of rain fell. No I am not making this one up. It sounds far fetched, but I
see no reason to disbelieve it either. Unfortunately I cannot lay my hands
on where I read it. I have a feeling that the Royal Met Society Weather
magazine had this in about 3 or 4 years ago.

Gavin.