In 2004, almost exactly 52 years to the day after Lynmouth's disaster, where 34 died, Boscastle, a town in north Cornwall suffered a fate simillar to that of Lynmouth as 6cm of rain fell in two hours resulting in a 3m high wall of water rushing through the village. This BBC newspaper article summarises the causes of the Boscastle flood. The village of Boscastle suffered extensive damage after the flood and the Environment Agency have released this excellent (but detailed) document summarising the causes, causes effects and responses to the Boscastle flood entitled "living with the risk".6 buildings and many cars were washed into the sea and boats and other debris was washed into the sea.
Thankfully unlike Lynmouth, in the Boscastle floods there were no major injuries or loss of life - even more amazing when you see the pictures and video footage of the devastation caused. If you are interested in finding out more the following links provide further information on the causes and effects of the Boscastle flood - there are also some great pictures and short video clips showing the devastation.
Useful Sites:
ArticlesNorth Cornwall Flooding Updates - provides a useful summary of day by day updates from the time of the flood
Devastation in Boscastle (BBC Cornwall) - great site including audio file interviews with villagersVillagers describe flood horror
(BBC article)Dozens rescued from flash floods
(BBC article)
(BBC) - excellent site showing very clear photographs of the devasted areas before and after the floods;The devastation and clean up operation
(BBC)Repair work being undertaken in BoscastlePhotographs of the 2004 Boscastle FloodVideo Reports on the flooding
