What caused the Lynmouth floods?

excessive rain. arriving ocean waves, such as a storm surge. ice jams, melting snow, and melting ice. a levee or dam breaking.

The Lynmouth Flood, which primarily affected the community of Lynmouth in north Devon, took place on the night of August 15–16, 1952. A storm with significant rainfall, already saturated soil, and flood debris caused the community to flood, resulting in a death toll of 34.

The Lynmouth floods were caused by a combination of factors. On August 15th, 1952, a low-pressure system brought heavy rainfall to the area, which had already experienced heavy rainfall in the preceding weeks. This resulted in the rivers and streams in the area becoming swollen and overflowing.

Additionally, the landscape of the area, with its steep hills and valleys, meant that the water flowed down quickly and formed flash floods. The high tides and a storm surge in the Bristol Channel also contributed to the floods by preventing the floodwaters from entering the sea.

The final death toll was 34, and many buildings and homes were destroyed. The event prompted changes in the way flood warnings and response systems were managed in the UK.