Hayle

November 1875

Christmas Day 1974

August 1977

October 1977

February 1979

mid-December 1981 Fluvial and tidal

December 1983 Fluvial

April 1985 In Hayle 25 properties flooded

August 1992

30 December 1993

December 1994

New Year’s Eve/Day 2002-2003 Fluvial and tidal

16 August 2004

March 2006

March 2008

Angarrack

Christmas Day 1974

New Year’s Eve/Day 2002-2003

March 2008

Connor Downs

Christmas 1985

Trevone

March 2008

Cornwall Council
Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment
ANNEX 5 – Chronology of Major Flood Events in Cornwall
June 2011

1
1800 – 1899
A storm caused coastal flooding affecting a number of communities along the south coast on
19-20 January 1817. Polperro harbour was destroyed by this storm and Looe was badly
damaged.

Truro suffered from numerous flooding events during the 1800s (1811, 1815, 1818, 1838,
1841, 1844, 1846, 1848 (twice), 1869, 1875, 1880, 1882 (twice), 1885, 1894 and 1899).
These were usually associated with high river flows coinciding with high tides.

Known as the Great Flood of 16 July 1847, due to an intense rainstorm event on Davidstow
Moor water collected in the valley and forced a passage of water down the Camel and Inney.
Bodmin - Dunmere Valley and the whole area below Dunmere Hill was flooded by the River
Camel. Dunmere Bridge was washed away as was the new 40 feet (12 m) high railway
bridge. At St. Breward, bridges from Gam Bridge to Dunmere were washed away by a wall of
water 12 to 18 feet (3.5-5.5 m) above normal along the River Camel. The devastating floods
that swept down from Davidstow Moor washed away all but two of the bridges along the River
Camel - Wadebridge and Helland being the only survivors.

Serious flooding occurred in Par and St Blazey in November 1852.

November 1875 saw heavy rain resulting in serious flooding in Bude, Camelford, Polmorla,
Hayle, St Just, Penzance and Truro.

Extreme rainfall in October 1880 resulted in serious flooding in both Bodmin and Truro.

High tides at the end of September and early October 1882 resulted in flooding in Boscastle,
Truro, Wadebridge and Padstow.

High tides combined with
strong winds and heavy
rainfall led to flooding within
Truro and Falmouth in
February 1885.

Sustained heavy rainfall in
November 1894 led to
widespread flooding across
Cornwall. There are reports
of many bridges and small
buildings being swept away
by the floodwaters.

In February 1899 a localised
cloudburst over Truro led to
severe surface water
flooding, affecting many
houses in the lower part of
the city.

1900 – 1959
In October 1903, flooding due to heavy rainfall affected Bude, Launceston and Boscastle.

River flooding affected Truro and Perranporth in October 1924.

There is a photographic record of flooding in Par and St Blazey in the 1930s, but the exact
date in not known.

In August 1950 there was flooding in Bude, Boscastle and Camelford.

Page 2
December 1952 saw river flooding in West Cornwall affecting St Erth, St Just, Penzance,
Helston and the Lizard.

On 26 November 1954 heavy rainfall combined with high tides and strong winds resulted in
flooding right across Cornwall. More than 150 properties are thought to have flooded: 80 in
Lostwithiel, 38 in Gunnilsake and 12 in Truro. In Mevagissey sea water from 40 foot (12 m)
high waves was reported to have cascaded down chimneys. The Council Depot in
Perranporth was reported to be 6 feet (1.8 m) deep in water.

A severe thunderstorm and heavy rainfall on 8 June 1957 caused flooding in Boscastle,
Camelford and Wenford (on the River Camel). A thunderstorm led to 203 mm of rain falling,
with 140 mm of it in two and a half hours and about 70mm in one hour. Around 50 properties
were flooded at Camelford. This was perhaps the most similar of those documented here to
the recent Boscastle event. Evidently there were hail drifts reported of up to 2 feet (0.6 m)
deep and although some bridges were destroyed there was no loss of life.

The following June, 1958, both Boscastle and Camelford were struck again by flash flooding.
There was one fatality in Boscastle.

In August 1958 flash flooding occurred in the area around Bude, Stratton and Flexbury.
Possibly 64 properties were flooded at Stratton.

The following year, in August 1959, Perranporth, Truro and St Blazey were flooded.

1960 – 1969

In September 1960, a combination of rain, high tides and strong winds affected a number of
communities along the course of the St Austell River (White River).

In February 1963, heavy rain led to flooding in Boscastle, Launceston and Treburley (River
Inny).

November 1963 saw flooding around Falmouth and The Lizard due to heavy rainfall.
On the 14 July 1965 at Wadebridge, 140mm of rain fell in 220 minutes. Polmorla and
Wadebridge suffered from fluvial flooding, with numerous properties flooded.

In February 1966, flooding occurred around Barripper, Camborne and Tuckingmill due to
blocked drains.

November 1967, heavy rainfall coinciding with high tides resulted in flooding at Bude, Grogley
(River Camel), Polmorla, Perranporth, Lostwithiel and Par.

1970 – 1979

Helston flooded three times in 1970.

Intense rainfall in October 1973 led to flooding across West Cornwall.

Throughout February 1974 there were numerous reports of flooding across Cornwall caused
by a combination of heavy rain and high spring tides. In Millbrook 37 properties were flooded
plus 40 in Par and a further 10 in St Blazey.

Christmas Day 1974 saw flooding in Angarrack and Hayle.

In January 1975 there was severe flooding involving 30 properties at Mevagissey and 3 at
Pentewan due to a tide-locked channel.

In July 1975 there was flooding due to sewer overload in Pool, flooding 20 properties, and
also due to breaching of a leat in St Austell.

Page 3
In August 1975 further flooding occurred in Pool and Truro also suffered flooding on the same
day.

In September 1975 there was flooding at Polgooth, where the stream burst its banks and also
at Lanjeth, Sticker and Nanpean, in the St Austell area. Properties also flooded in Truro on
the same day.

Later in September 1975, Penzance and Marazion suffered from flooding due to the
sewerage system becoming overloaded in heavy rainfall.

The sewerage system became overloaded again in December 1975 in Penzance, Newlyn
and Gulval.

A further eight incidences of flooding were recorded in the Penzance area at the end of
January 1976, mainly due to sewer overload and surface water runoff.

In March 1976 there was extensive flooding around Par and St Blazey and also flooding
reported around Morgan Porth and Polmorla and additionally at Porthallow on the same day.

The river breached at Camelford in mid-September 1976.

Flooding was widespread across Cornwall at the end on September 1976 due to severe
storms. The main communities affected included Bude, Wadebridge, Camborne, Pool,
Redruth area, St Ives, Penzance, Helston, Falmouth, Truro, St Austell, Par and St Blazey,
Lostwithiel and Bodmin. In Polperro there was one fatality and 83 properties flooded.

In July 1977, tide-locking of sewers resulted in major flooding at Mevagissey with 25
properties flooded.

In August 1977, heavy rainfall led to surface runoff flooding in St Austell and in the Camborne
and Redruth area.

Later in August 1977 similar flooding was recorded around Penzance, St Ives and Hayle, in St
Austell, Par, St Blazey and Mevagissey and in Truro.

In October 1977, river flooding occurred in Truro, Perranporth, Camborne, Hayle and Helston.

December 1977 saw flooding in Penzance and St Ives and also in Lostwithiel, Luxulyan and
Seaton.

At the end of December 1977 there was further flooding at Par and St Austell.

Flooding occurred in the area around St Columb Major in March 1978.

During March 1978 there were numerous reports of surface water runoff problems associated
with the roundabout at Long Rock, Penzance.

Penzance and St Just suffered from flooding due to inadequate drainage in December 1978.

During February 1979 flooding was reported due to both fluvial and surface water sources in
Camborne, Hayle, St Just, Penzance, Helston, Mevagissey and Par.

Par flooded again in October 1979. Tidal flooding also occurred in Wadebridge and Padstow.

At the end of November 1979 Par and Portreath both flooded due to combined high fluvial
flows and high tides.

In mid-December 1979 fluvial flooding occurred around Portreath, Porthleven and Helston.
15 properties were flooded at Helston and 60 at Portreath.

Page 4

At the end of December 1979 and early January 1980 widespread flooding occurred across
Cornwall, affecting most of the communities that are vulnerable to fluvial flooding. At
Portreath a further 12 properties were flooded and 60 properties flood in Lostwithiel. In
Bolingey 11 properties flooded, 8 properties flooded at Helebridge, 20 in Launceston and 14
at Ladock.

1980 – 1989

At the end of January 1980, severe storms caused disruption in Truro, Porthleven, St Austell
and Looe,

In September 1980, heavy rains caused flooding in Launceston, Altarnun, Bude and St
Dennis.

November 1980 saw surface water flooding around Nanpean, Treviscoe and St Austell.

In March 1981 there was fluvial flooding around the River Tamar and its tributaries and also
heavy rainfall combined with high spring tides affected Sladesbridge and Fowey.

Fowey was impacted again in October 1981 due to combined storms and high tides, along
with Wadebridge and Truro.

In mid-December 1981, combined fluvial and tidal flooding affected Padstow, Perranporth,
Hayle, Falmouth, Truro, Fowey and Looe. In Padstow 38 properties were flooded.

At the end of December 1981 and early January 1982 fluvial and surface water flooding
affected the area around St Austell, Par and St Blazey, where 9 properties were affected by
surface water flooding.

Padstow was affected by surface water, fluvial and tidal flooding in June 1982.

In August 1982 inadequate drainage resulted in flooding in Launceston, Bude, Camelford and
Bodmin.

Surface water flooding caused problems in Penzance and St Just in July 1983 with 29
properties affected in St Just and 14 in Penzance, as an area of low pressure brought
thundery rain as it moved north from Biscay into very warm air over the UK.

Fluvial flooding affected Hayle, Lelant and St Ives in December 1983.

Also in December 1983, a combination of storms, gales and high tides caused flooding in
Penzance, Fowey and Looe.

Five separate flooding incidents are recorded at St Austell in June, July and August 1984.

In October 1984, high tides caused flooding in Polmorla, Wadebridge and Padstow and the
tidal defences were overtopped at Chapel Amble.

In November 1984 high tides and heavy rain resulted in major flooding of Fowey with 12
properties flooded and Padstow with 35 properties flooded, with lesser flooding at
Wadebridge, Sladesbridge and Perranporth.

The end of December 1984 and early January 1985 saw surface water flooding at Par and
Tywardreath.

At the end of January 1985 high tides, severe gales and torrential rain caused flooding in
Falmouth and Penryn. Further problems occurred at Penryn and Flushing at the end of
March.

Widespread flooding occurred in April 1985 due to heavy rain and high spring tides, affecting
Wadebridge and Padstow, Newquay, Hayle, Mousehole, Flushing, Mevagissey, St Blazey,
Page 5
Fowey, Lostwithiel, Looe, Torpoint and Calstock. In Hayle 25 properties flooded, 11 flooded
in Fowey, 9 in Looe, 33 in Wadebridge and 35 in Padstow.

Flooding of the A390 occurred at Par in August and again in October 1985.

Over Christmas 1985 flooding occurred at Helebridge, Connor Downs and St Just.

In June 1986 Newlyn and Penzance were flooded due to surcharging of the surface water
systems. Over the following week, further heavy rainfall led to surface water flooding at
Wadebridge, Newquay and Crantock, Grampound, Mevagissey, Bugle, St Austell, St Blazey
and Tywardreath, Fowey, Lostwithiel and East Looe.

Heavy downpours in November 1986 resulted in flooding across Mid and East Cornwall, at
Egloskerry, Boscastle, Tintagel, Camelford, Blisland and Wenford, Bodmin and Lanivet,
Mitchell, Pentewan, Par, Lostwithiel, A38 in the Glyn Valley and at Notter Bridge, and tidal
flooding at Lerryn. Probably around 40 properties flooded in Lostwithiel.

In October 1987, high river levels associated with high spring tides resulted in flooding at
Boscastle, Chapel Amble and Polmorla, and high river flows flooded Yeolmbridge, Draynes
Valley and the Glyn Valley.

In January 1988 combined storms and high tides caused flooding at Lerryn, Lostwithiel and
Looe. On 27 January, a severe thunderstorm over West Cornwall on already saturated
ground caused flooding at Perranporth, Redruth and nearby villages, Helston, Constantine,
Budock Water, Penryn, Ponsanooth and Perranarworthal, Porth Kea and Calenick, Truro
(with significant damage), St Austell and St Blazey. 15 properties flooded in Helston, 15 in
Redruth, 12 in Perranporth and 65 in Truro.

A number of flooding incidents occurred at Par throughout the summer of 1988.

On 11 October 1988 another
severe thunderstorm hit MidCornwall. This affected St
Newlyn East, Bolingey,
Perranporth and St Agnes,
Chacewater, Calenick and
Truro, Pentewan and St
Austell. In Perranporth 16
homes were flooded, but
Truro was most affected with
many homes and businesses
under floodwater.

In December 1989 a high
spring tide with storm surge
caused flooding at Newlyn
and at Lerryn.

Also in December 1989, high
tides combined with storms
resulted in flooding at Porthleven and Truro and along the coast at Gorran Haven, Portmellon,
Mevagissey and Pentewan, Par and Pontsmill and at Looe.

Victoria Square, Truro, 11 October 1988

1990 – 1999
In February 1990 high tides coupled with gales caused wave overtopping problems along the
seafronts at Newquay and St Ives.

In March 1991 surface water runoff from fields caused flooding on to the A30 at Cockwells
and Whitecross, near Penzance, and on the same day severe flooding occurred at
Lostwithiel.

Page 6
In June 1991 torrential rain caused flooding at Newquay, Falmouth, the Glyn Valley and Looe.

In May 1992 a short cloudburst resulted in major surface water flooding at Carbis Bay and St
Ives, with 60 properties flooded.

Over one week at the end of August 1992 severe storms coinciding with high tides led to
flooding across Cornwall. Affected communities include Wadebridge, Hayle and Lelant,
Newlyn, Penzance and Long Rock, Helston, Falmouth and Penryn, Perranarworthal, Truro,
Pentewan, Bugle, St Blazey and Tywardreath, the Glyn Valley and East Taphouse.

The end of November and beginning of December 1992 were marked by heavy rain causing
widespread flooding and exacerbated by high tides in coastal areas. Affected areas included
Wadebridge, Crofthandy, Camborne, Crowlas, Penryn, Perranarworthal, Mevagissey, St
Austell, St Blazey, Luxulyan, Nanstallon and Lanivet, the Glyn Valley, Middle Taphouse and
Dobwalls, Lostwithiel and Lerryn and Menheniot, Hessenford, Tideford and St Germans.

In December 1992 fluvial flooding occurred at Blisland, Newquay, Tregony and at six
locations along the course of the River Lynher.

In May 1993 severe storms caused fluvial and surface water flooding affecting Altarnun,
Rumford and Mawgan Porth, Fraddon, Roche, Polmassick, Goran Haven and Mevagissey,
Polgooth, Trewoon, St Austell and Par, Pantersbridge and Trewidland near Liskeard and
Hessenford. In Mevagissey 13 properties were flooded.

On 9 June 1993 torrential rainfall caused major flooding in Helston. The intensity of rainfall
measured at RNAS Culdrose recorded 125mm of rain in the 9 hours to 0900 as a thundery
low moved north from Biscay, 92mm of this in the 2 hours to 0800. Flooding on this day also
hit Penzance, Porthleven, St Just and Yeolmbridge.

On 12 June 1993 there was
major damage caused by
fluvial and surface water
flooding due to severe storms
across north east Cornwall.
Areas affected included Bude
and Helebridge, Boyton, North
Petherwin, Yeolmbridge and
Werrington, Tremail and
Tresparrett near Davidstow,
Slaughterbridge, Camelford
and eight other locations on
the Camel between Camelford
and Blisland, St Tudy,
Helland, Bodmin and area,
Sladesbridge and
Wadebridge, and eight
locations along the River Allen
between Delabole and Wadebridge. A few days later flooding affected Newquay, Porthleven,
Helston and Porkellis, and Goran Haven and Mevagissey, In Helston 50 properties were
flooded, 60 were flooded in Porthleven and 19 in Sladebridge. A few days later, 71 properties
were flooded in Bude, 7 in Camelford, 20 in Sladesbridge and 8 in Helebridge.

At the end of November, beginning of December 1993, there was fluvial and surface water
flooding affecting the St Austell area, including Portloe, Porthmellon, Lanjeth and Penwithick,
St Austell, Par and St Blazey and Hessenford. 8 properties flooded in Par and 13 in
Hessenford.

Over 30 December 1993 and 1 January 1994 very heavy rainfall resulted in serious fluvial
and surface water flooding of some 200 properties in a swathe across Cornwall. Areas

Page 7
affected included Newquay, Perranporth and St Agnes, Blackwater and Crofthandy, Hayle,
Penzance, Constantine, Devoran, Calenick and Truro, Tresillian, Ladock and Grampound, St
Stephen, Mevagissey and Pentewan, St Austell and surrounding villages, Penwithick and
Bugle, Par and Tywardreath and Polperro. In Perranporth 45 properties were flooded, 50 in
Polperro, 50 at Tresillian and 20 in Ladock.

In February 1994 an estimated 15 properties flooded in Perranporth from the Perrancoombe
Stream.

At the end of December 1994 and beginning of January 1995, heavy rainfall caused fluvial
and surface water flooding in St Columb Major, Gilberts Coombe and Portreath, Hayle,
Ladock, St Veep, Gunnislake and Altarnun. In Portreath 20 properties were flooded.

On 28 February 1995 there were 24 flood incidents all within a radius of about 10 km from St
Austell, including Lanivet, Luxulyan, Lostwithiel, Roche and Bugle, Stenalees and Penwithick,
Par and St Blazey, St Austell and Mevagissey. In Mevagissey 25 properties were flooded
and 16 in Par.

In December 1995 12 riverside properties were flooded in Lerryn.

In January 1996 a combination of high river flows and high tides affected Sladesbridge, Gillan
Harbour on the Lizard, Lerryn and Polperro. An estimated 10 properties flooded in each of
Polperro and Lerryn

An event on 1 February 1996 resulted in flooding of more then 100 properties in the area to
the east of Looe, including Menheniot, Hessenford and Seaton, Tideford, Polbathic and St
Germans. 5 properties flooded in Polbathic, 66 in Seaton and 24 in St Germans.

Heavy rain in the first two weeks of March 1996 resulted in flood problems in many parts of
Cornwall including the Tintagel area, Port Isaac, St Issey, Lelant and Nancledra area, St Just,
Marazion, Chasewater, Cusgarne and Bissoe on the River Carnon, Veryan and Tresillian,
Lerryn, Pelynt and Sandplace, Menheniot, Altarnun and North Petherwin. In Tintagel 12
properties were flooded by surface water, 6 in Trebarwith and 12 at Tresillian.

In April 1996 high spring tides resulted in flooding of 20 properties in Wadebridge. In May
1996 and an estimated 15 properties were flooded from the River Fowey in Lostwithiel.

On 7 November 1997 heavy rain resulted in flash flooding at Mousehole, Newlyn, Penzance
and Crowlas.

At the end of November 1997 severe thunderstorms caused flooding in the St Austell area. It
was estimated 40-85mm of rainfall fell on saturated ground in 15 minutes. Communities
affected included Goran Haven, Pentewan, Coombe, Lanjeth and Nanpean, Sticker, Polgooth
and London Apprentice, St Austell and Par Moor. 40 properties were flooded by surface
water at Pentewan and 15 by river flooding at Polgooth.

In late January 1999 heavy rainfall caused fluvial and surface water runoff problems around
South East Cornwall affecting East Taphouse, Looe, Seaton and Menheniot, St Germans and
Tideford, Stoke Climsland and Gunnislake.

Substantial fluvial flooding occurred between 17 and 25 December 1999 due to sustained
heavy rainfall. The main problem areas were around Bude, Boscastle, Camelford, around
Wadebridge, Bodmin area (where Bodmin Fire Station flooded), Mitchell and Zelah,
Mousehole and Heamoor, Budock Water, Perranarworthal, Calenick and Truro, Ladock and
Grampound, Pentewan, Par and St Blazey, Lostwithiel, Lerryn and Golant, Herodsfoot, Looe,
Seaton, Menheniot, Minions, Newbridge and St Mellion, Tideford and St Germans, Millbrook,
Calstock and Gunnislake, Launcestion and Yeolmbridge. In Bude 29 properties were flooded
by surcharging sewers and 25 by ordinary watercourses. 8 properties flooded at Helebridge,
10 at Marhanchurch and 7 at Lostwithiel.

Page 8
2000 – 2010

At the end of October and into November 2000 sustained rainfall led to fluvial flooding in the
eastern parts of the county. Affected areas include Bude and Stratton, Boscastle, St Tudy,
Sladesbridge and Polmorla, Bodmin, St Just, Ladock, Luxulyan, Lostwithiel, Middle
Taphouse, East Looe, Dobwalls, Menheniot and Liskeard, Cremyll, Calstock, Gunnislake and
Chillsworthy, Stoke Climsland and Polson Bridge at Launceston.

On 7 and 8 December 2000 more fluvial and surface water flooding occurred, mainly in
Sladesbridge and Pormorla, Bodmin, Perranporth, Praze-an-Beeble, Truro, Veryan, Ladock,
Polperro and Pelynt, villages along the East Looe River and Seaton River around Liskeard,
Tideford and Saltash and at Gunnislake.

The following week further flooding occurred in the Portreath Valley, Stithians, Grampound, ,
Bugle, Lanreath, St Neot, Sheviock, St Mellion, Gunnislake, Launceston and Tamarstone.
The A3058 between St Stephen and St Austell and the A391 at bugle were both closed with
vehicles abandoned in the floods.

The last week in January 2001 saw flooding in the south east of the county due to surface
water runoff at Sandplace, Upton Cross and Rilla Mill, St Mellion and villages around
Gunnislake.

Flash flooding in July and August 2001 saw roads and properties flooded in Bodmin and
businesses flooded in Falmouth and in Looe.

At the end of January 2002 an estimated 10 properties flooded at Gilberts Coombe, by the
Portreath Stream.

On 1 February 2002, high spring tides resulted in tidal flooding at Sladebridge on the north
coast and on the south coast at Mevagissey, Polkerris, Fowey, Golant, Lerryn and Lostwithiel,
Cremyll and Calstock.

On 13 November 2002 heavy rainfall resulted in fluvial flooding in West Cornwall at Gwithian,
St Erth, Lelant, Carbis Bay and St Ives, Nancledra, Newlyn, Penzance and Heamoor and at
Marazion, Ludgvan and Crowlas. At Crowlas 20 properties flooded and 6 at Chyandour. 39
properties flooded at St Ives and 9 at St Erth.

Two weeks later, on 27 November 2002, more heavy rain led to further fluvial and surface
water flooding at Boscastle, Bodmin, Polmorla, a caravan park near St Eval, St Columb Minor
and Newquay, Scorrier, Lanner, Redruth and the Portreath Valley, Troon and Camborne,
Leedstown, Crowlas, Gunwallow, Gweek, Porkellis and Burras on the River Cober,
Ponsanooth and Perranaworthal, Calenick and Truro, and Laddock

Heavy rainfall on New Year’s Eve/Day 2002-2003 resulted in fluvial and surface water
flooding, mainly centred on West Cornwall. Affected locations include Fexbury/Bude,
Redruth, Lanner and the Portreath Valley, Carnkie, Carn Brea, Illogan and Camborne,
Angarrack and Hayle, Relubbus and St Erth, Sennen Cove, Lamorna and Mousehole,
Marazion, Praa Sands, Breage and Porthleven, Helston, Gweek, Constantine, Porkellis,
Burras and Wendron on the Cober, Budock Water and Falmouth, Tresillian, Goran Haven, St
Austell, Par and Luxulyan, Herodsfoot, Pilaton and Lowley Bridge near Launceston. In
Helston 20 properties flooded and 8 flooded at Gweek. 7 flooded in Redruth and 10 in
Lanner.

At the end of July 2003 heavy rainfall caused fluvial and surface water flooding in Bodmin and
Lanivet, Lanner, Redruth, Pool, Carn Brea and the Portreath Valley, Newlyn and Mousehole,
Crowlas and Whitecross, Breage and Helston, Tywardreath and Common Moor on the River
Fowey.

On 12 August 2004, surface water problems following heavy rainfall affected Pelynt, Liskeard,
Common Moor and Minions in the south east of Cornwall and also tidal flooding impacted on
Saltash.

Page 9
A few days later, on 16 August 2004 the well known Boscastle event occurred. Though less
well documented than for Boscastle, flash floods also hit Crackington Haven at the same
time. From 16 to 18 August, flooding impacted on Bude, Canworthy Water and Ottersham,
Slaughterbridge, Camelford and Tintagel, in North East Cornwall, and also Perranporth,
Redruth and Portreath, Camborne and Praze-an-Beeble, Hayle, St Erth, Carbis Bay and St
Ives, Crowlas, Marazion, Relubbus and Goldsithney, Helston, Mullion, and Penryn in the west
of Cornwall. In Boscastle 60 properties flooded, 5 in Helebridge and many also flooded in
Crackington Haven. At Praze-an-Beeble 9 properties flooded.

On 27 October 2004 a
combination of high tides and
severe storms caused
extensive damage along the
south coast, particularly in
Looe (road closures and
people evacuated from their
homes into the church hall),
Fowey and Penzance, but
also affected Lamorna,
Mousehole and Newlyn,
Porthleven, Falmouth,
Flushing (40 homes under
water), Penryn, Mylor Bridge,
Peranarworthal, Devoran and
Point, St Mawes, Truro and
Tresillian, Goran Haven,
Portmellon, Mevagissey and
Pentewan, Par, Lostwithiel,
Polperro, Seaton and at Kingsand, Torpoint and Saltash. In Fowey 32 properties flooded, 50
flooded in Looe and 25 in Penzance.

Flushing, 27 October 2004

In October 2005 heavy rains led to flooding at Camborne, Bodmin and Lanivet, Launceston,
St Austell, Par and St Blazey, Penryn, Marazion, Millbrook, Torpoint, Callington, Davidstow
and Wadebridge.

At the end of March 2006 high spring tides affected both north and south coasts with flooding
reported at Bude, Boscastle, Wadebridge, Perranporth, Portreath, Hayle, St Erth and Lelant,
Newlyn and Penzance, Gweek, Flushing, Pentewan, Par, Fowey, Looe and Saltash. An
estimated 15 properties flooded at Looe, with 0.6 m of floodwater in front of the fire station
after the quay overtopped in three places.

Between 6 and 8 October 2006 exceptionally high spring tides combined with a storm surge
to cause tidal flooding at Widemouth Bay, Trebarwith Strand, Port Isaac, Polzeath, Mawgan
Porth, Porth and Newquay, Perranporth, Portreath, St Ives, Penzance, Flushing, Penryn,
Perranarworthal, Mevagissey, Fowey and Looe. In East and West Looe an estimated 80
properties were flooded.

At the end of November 2006 severe rainfall caused flooding close to the Devon border
affecting Callington, Saltash, Halton Quay, Harrowbarrow, Gunnislake.and Polson Bridge at
Launceston. In Gunnislake 20 properties flooded due to blocked gullies and culverts.

On 9 February 2007 a number of surface water problems reported. In Penryn one
commercial property and a residential property were flooded to a depth of 0.7 m and the Truro
to Falmouth railway line was closed due to flooding.

In March 2008, high spring tides combined with strong winds and a storm surge resulted in
flooding at both north and south coasts affecting Bude, Boscastle, Port Gaverne, Port Isaac
and Port Quin, Polzeath, Padstow and Trevone, Sladesbridge and Wadebridge, Porth
(Newquay), Perranporth, Portreath, Hayle and St Ives, Gweek, Swanpool, Penryn and Mylor

Page 10
Bridge, Tresillian, Fowey, Golant, Lerryn and Lostwithiel, Looe and Saltash. In Fowey 8
properties flooded and 6 flooded in Perranporth, where the sea front had to be closed by
emergency services. In Polzeath 3 properties flooded, 3 properties flooded and a road was
badly dameaged in Port Gaverne and in Port Isaac at least 7 properties flooded including the
life boat station

In July 2008, heavy rainfall caused flooding at Minions, Canworthy Water, Polson Bridge,
Otterham and Yeolmbridge in East Cornwall.

In August 2008 heavy rain led to flooding of roads and properties in St Austell, Falmouth,
Penryn, Polbathic, St Germans, Herodsfoot and Canworthy Water. In Lostwithiel the
Tanhouse Stream broke its banks flooding 4 properties.

In mid-December 2008 heavy rainfall led to road and property flooding in North Cornwall. Fire
crews had to rescue people from vehicles in Boscastle and in Launceston.

On 24 April 2009 a severe storm affected West Cornwall. The worst hit areas were Zennor
and St Ives, with many streets and properties under water. At Poniou near Zennor there were
3 fatalities when a car was washed off a small bridge. On the Coastal Path 7 footbridges
were washed away.

On 2 July 2009 Truro was affected by localised heavy rainfall. The railway station was closed
after torrential rain caused the roof to cave in above the ticket office. Part of an isolation ward
at Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske was also closed after water seeped through the roof. Two
shops on Victoria Square were forced to close after 0.3 m of water washed into their premises.

On 17 November 2010 severe flooding occurred in Mid-Cornwall and especially St Austell
Bay area following an overnight storm. In excess of 400 properties were flooded including the
St Austell Market and the Eden Project. Flooding affected St Austell, Par and St Blazey
(more then 50 properties), Altarnun, Lostwithiel (40 properties), Mevagissey (100 properties)
and Pentewan (15 properties). Many properties were flooded to a depth of 1.5 m. There
were major concerns over the stability of the historic bridge at Lostwithiel and the A38 and
mainline railway in the Glynn Valley had to be closed following a landslip.