August 1952 The Lynmouth disaster
This was one of the worst flooding disasters to hit the UK in the 20th
Century. On the 14th and 15th August, a low pressure was in the Channel and
this brought heavy thunderstorms to the SW peninsula. 225mm of rain was
recorded on Exmoor and water poured off the moor down the northern
escarpment into streams and rivers. The rivers West and East Lyn brought the
brunt from this and a flood surge developed in the deep valleys carrying
with it boulders. The surge poured through Lynmouth washing away 130 cars
into the sea, destroying over 100 buildings, shops, houses and hotels and 29
bridges were severely damaged.
The human toll was horrific, 34 lives were lost and 420 were homeless.
3 scouts drowned when their camp was hit by the flood and a postman died
when he was doing his round. Harold MacMillian, the housing minister,
visiting Lynmouth after the disaster said it looked like "the road to
Ypres."


Source: TWO.

My Comment:

Thank goodness Boscastle was not like this.
However, these flooding events in the West Country are a bit more common
than many people think.





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Gavin Staples.

Cambridge, UK.

www.gavinstaples.com
site regularly updated


"Inventories can be managed, but people must be led". H. Ross Perot. ~ US
Naval Commander and author.

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