Film Lens
The Great Devon & Cornwall Floods examines two significant flash floods in British history that occurred 52 years apart. The first event took place on August 16, 1952, in Lynmouth, Devon, where 15cm of rain fell within a few hours, causing the East and West Lyn rivers to overflow. This resulted in the release of 114,000 tons of boulders, sediment, and uprooted trees, leading to widespread destruction in the village and altering the lives of its residents.
The second flood occurred on August 16, 2004, in Boscastle, Cornwall, where four hours of heavy rainfall caused similar devastation. The documentary features interviews with survivors, rescuers, politicians, and experts, addressing the human impact of these disasters and the lessons learned from both events.
Why Watch
- •Meet survivors of the 1952 Lynmouth flood
- •See the aftermath of the 2004 Boscastle disaster
- •Find out how floods changed village lives forever
Did You Know
•On August 16, 1952, Lynmouth received 15cm of rain in a few hours.
•The Lynmouth flood unleashed 114,000 tons of debris into the village.
•The Boscastle flood on August 16, 2004, lasted for four hours.
•Both floods occurred exactly 52 years apart on the same date.
Perfect For
British history enthusiastsDisaster response studiesEnvironmental science