1952 Lynmouth flood Lynmouth

on 15 , 16 august 1952, storm of tropical intensity broke on south west england, depositing 229 millimetres (9.0 in) of rain within 24 hours on waterlogged exmoor. thought cold front scooped thunderstorm, , orographic effect worsened storm. debris-laden floodwaters cascaded down northern escarpment of moor, converging upon village of lynmouth. in particular, in upper west lyn valley, dam formed fallen trees , other debris; in due course gave way, sending huge wave of water , debris down river. river lyn through town had been culverted in order gain land business premises; culvert choked flood debris, , river flowed through town. of debris boulders , trees.

overnight, on 100 buildings destroyed or damaged along 28 of 31 bridges, , 38 cars washed out sea. in total, 34 people died , further 420 made homeless.

similar events had been recorded @ lynmouth in 1607 , 1796. after 1952 disaster, village rebuilt, including diverting river around village.

a conspiracy theory has circulated 1952 flood caused secret cloud seeding experiments conducted raf. theory has been dismissed preposterous experts.

the small group of houses on bank of east lyn river called middleham, between lynmouth , watersmeet, destroyed , never rebuilt. today, memorial garden stands on site.

a memorial hall dedicated disaster on front toward harbour; contains photographs, newspaper reports , scale model of village, showing how looked before flood. further photo , information display found in st john baptist parish church.

taken in 1850s first ever photograph of lynmouth