Boscastle flood of 2004: The tenth anniversary of freak weather striking a Cornish town

One thousand trees were destroyed and 20 years' worth of river sediment was deposited in the village that day, but thankfully nobody died

Today marks the tenth anniversary of a devastating flash flood in the village of Boscastle, Cornwall.

An estimated 440million gallons of water swept through the picturesque West Country town on 16 August 2004, after heavy rainfall led to the bursting of banks and the convergence of three rivers.
A total of 58 properties were flooded while four others were completely destroyed.

Around 100 people had to be plucked to safety by emergency teams, after mounting their roofs to escape the rising waters.

The town suffered millions of pounds worth of damage but as residents will also say of that day – it was astounding that nobody died.