Case Study
Topic
Historic Environment
Incident / Exercise
Incident - Boscastle Flooding, 16 August 2004
Background and Context
During the afternoon of Monday 16 August 2004, heavy rainfall in north
Cornwall caused a flash flood in the village of Boscastle on the north
Cornwall coast, within North Cornwall District Council’s area of
responsibility.
The first rainfall was recorded above Boscastle at about 12.30 p.m., with
heavy rainfall over a concentrated area.
It is estimated that over 1,400 million litres of rain fell in just two
hours.
The River Valency, which runs through the centre of the small village,
quickly became a torrent and overflowed. An estimated three-metre depth of
water poured through the village, washing away cars, trapping residents and
tourists and leading to a major rescue operation.
Some 20 Grade II listed buildings were affected to varying degrees.
How the Topic was Handled
Overall co-ordination of the emergency services and statutory authorities
by North Cornwall District Council (NCDC) was successful, and the input and
sensitivity of individual emergency services was excellent.
Initially, however, it was difficult for the National Trust (NT) to
contribute to the process in the first 24 hours. The Environment
Agency and NCDC moved in quickly with heavy clearance equipment, possibly
with little sensitivity for historic elements or materials salvage.
In the initial stages, access for NT staff to the harbour and to NT
properties was denied for what was felt to be too long. Relatively quickly,
however, the NT’s direct labour force were able to help and speed up the
recovery process.
English Heritage was encouraged to give appropriate advice to residents who
owned listed properties damaged by the flood.
A direct line telephone number to the Local Authority’s consultant historic
building advisor was published.
Lessons Identified
-
There was a need for someone to be dedicated to “natural/historic
environment” issues involved in Cornwall County Council / NCDC emergency
planning at very outset, not 1 or 2 days later – especially given
Boscastle’s Conservation Area status.
-
Emergency Planners need to be fully aware of the NT’s potential for
support and input – at District and County levels.
-
Liaison with press departments of other involved organisations is
essential at the earliest possible stage, to ensure appropriate media
profile, and to influence external messages.
-
The importance of keeping a detailed diary to record key events and
decisions, as they happen.
-
The need to reconsider some of the unsustainable practices of the recent
past, such as locating a hard surface car park within the flood plain.
-
The importance of existing local knowledge/community contacts, etc,
proved extremely useful.
Contacts for Further Information
Preventative Conservation Adviser (Technical)
National Trust
Tel: 01793 817771
Website: National
Trust[External website]
North Cornwall District
Council
[External website]
English
Heritage
[External website]
Additional Documents
Multi-Agency Lessons Identified Report - Major Flooding at Boscastle and
Surrounding Areas of North Cornwall, 16 August 2004
[PDF]
