Flash Flood 73
Thanks to Tony Ovenden for quickly sending in these photos from 21st September 1973 of the flash flooding that took place in Westgate, causing a tragic drowning death as a consequence.In fact I remember the day reasonably well, as I had to get to school in Broadstairs and the water at the foot of Coffin Hill near opposite the Margate cricket club ground and Hartsdown park, was deeper than the height of any car that might foolishly try and get through it!
This all rather serves as an unpleasant reminder that one day, the weather may catch us by surprise, whether we live on a flood plain or not.
The photographs are of Victoria avenue and the Walmer Castle pub in Westgate.
This all rather serves as an unpleasant reminder that one day, the weather may catch us by surprise, whether we live on a flood plain or not.
The photographs are of Victoria avenue and the Walmer Castle pub in Westgate.
In the Gazette article of 28/09//1973 the Margate Borough Engineer explained that the woorst hit area of Westgate had been a gathering groung of 640 acres for the rain water. Six inches of rain water had fallen on bone dry agriculture land and formed two main streams breaching walls at Quex, Belmont and Linden roads. The deluge washed through properties incluiding St Augustines school which took a column of water and mud. 23 people were rescued from rooftops and lofts there was one death, 77 year old Mrs Victoria Scott.
Posted by
Tony Beachcomber |
8:21 PM
Yup, we've all seen this sort of stuff before. I think at that time the talk was all about a new Ice Age coming.
Posted by
Jeremy Jacobs |
10:02 PM
anon again!
I remember rowing about in a little dingy, and two young brothers (Case was their surname I think)paddling about in a canoe. 34 years ago... hmmmm, doesn't seem that long ago. I lived in Streete Court at the time.
Posted by
Anonymous |
12:24 AM
I can't remember the world being sepia coloured when it happened but maybe, like Black & White TV, I just took a monochrome existence in Thanet for granted!
Posted by
DrMoores |
6:46 AM
Nobodies mentioned the thunder and lightning that night, best we ever had.
On a good point it only took one death and we built a complete new storm drainage system for margate and westgate, I know i worked on it for Bowzells.
Posted by
derick97 |
3:15 PM