Boscastle floods- 2004 16 August

Physical causes-
185mm rain fell n 5 hours in comparison to 90mm in the whole of August
impermeable rock type due to urbanisation.
The car park was part of the flood plain and was concrete
Lack of trees
Boscastle has a confluence of 3 rivers (Valency,Paradise,Jordan)
3 million tonnes of water fell into a 21 km2 basin.

Low bridge trapped all debris.

Effect-
telephone/ gas cut off.
115 cars washed away
58 buildings flooded
house prices halved

Response
7 rescue helicopters sent
GP opened as a emergency centre

Long Term response
low bridge raised
trees were planted
car park was raised and moved back
400,000 pounds were collected from charity appeal
valency was widened
shops rebuilt.