TWENTY years ago, Boscastle and its surrounding areas were struck by torrential floods which would change the village forever. 

On August 16, 2004, torrential rain led to the River Valency bursting its banks and around 1,422 million litres of water pouring through Boscastle, destroying numerous homes and businesses in its wake. With around six hours of rainfall, emergency services had reportedly radioed for help, saying: “We are in danger of losing Boscastle and all the people in it.”

One-hundred-and-fifty vehicles were swept through the village, with 30 swept out to sea, and approximately 100 people were winched to safety by seven rescue helicopters. 

Residents had little time to react. As well as cars being swept to sea, buildings were badly damaged and people had to act quickly to survive.  

Fortunately, nobody died — thanks largely to a huge rescue operation involving helicopters — but there was millions of pounds worth of damage.

The flooding destroyed much of the town, leaving some of it looking unrecognisable
The flooding destroyed much of the town, leaving some of it looking unrecognisable (CC)

On the day of the flood, around 75mm of rain fell in two hours, which equates to the same amount that normally falls in the whole of the month of August.  

Huge amounts of water from this sudden downpour flowed into two rivers, the Valency and Jordan. Both overflowed, and this caused a sudden rush of water to speed down the Valency, which runs through the middle of Boscastle.

Areas of the town had to be blocked off due to the damage which had been caused
Areas of the town had to be blocked off due to the damage which had been caused (CC)

Simon Ross, the former head of geography and assistant head at Queen's College, Taunton, said: “The Boscastle flood event was a one-in-400-year event. This means that it has a reoccurrence rate of once in every 400 years.”

Following the event, fire crews and coastguard rescue teams were deemed ‘heroes’ by the community, with former fire station manager Mark Saltern of Delabole Community Fire Station having been honoured at the Queen’s royal garden party at Buckingham Palace in recognition of his work during the Boscastle flood. 

After the flood, which caused sheer devastation in the village, South West Water reportedly spent around £10-million on new flood defences in the area to prevent such events and destruction happening again. 

The day will forever remain in the memories of those in Cornwall.