The Great Flood and Tempest 1953 - North Norfolk, UK
Posted by: 
Norfolk12
N 52° 56.454 E 000° 29.250
31U E 331169 N 5868651
Quick Description: A Brass Plaque commemorating those who died along this coast in the Flooding of 1953 in North Norfolk.
Sited in the Cliff Top Gardens opposite the War Memorial.
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 5/15/2008 1:56:40 PM
Waymark Code: WM3TCB
Views: 88
Long Description:
THIS TABLET RECORDS THE NAMES OF THOSE RESIDENTS OF THE
SOUTH BEACH THAT LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT FLOOD AND
TEMPEST
31ST JANUARY 1953
IT ALSO NAMES THE AMERICAN SERVICEMEN AND FAMILYS WHO WERE
BILLETED HERE THAT ALSO DIED.
DETAILS TAKEN FROM THE LOCAL PAPER WEBSITE:
From Kings Lynn and along the Wash from there it devastated the
whole of the Norfolk coast right round to Lowestoft on the Suffolk
border. The Norfolk seaside resorts of Snettisham and Heacham lost
34 lives. Wooden bungalows, beach huts, chalets and caravans stood
no chance against the oncoming storm.
Hunstanton received the brunt of the sea's assault. It wrecked
the amusement park and washed over the railway line - a train that
was travelling from Hunstanton to Kings Lynn was brought to a halt
because bungalows had washed into its path.
Many properties were destroyed and the loss of life was 31 dead
including 16 American servicemen who were billeted around
Hunstanton.
The storm ran south down the Norfolk coast washing away concrete
sea defences, houses and shingle banks. It swept away sand dunes,
cars, trucks and many seaside stalls.