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
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.
Waymark Code: WM3TCB
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 05/15/2008
Views: 91
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.
MEMORIAL PLAQUE.
On Saturday, 31st January, 1953, the most severe gales ravaged the North Norfolk Coast and finally burst through crossing the 320 yard gap which seperated the sea from the town.
By the time Sunday dawned, the 10' high waves had destroyed 35 homes, badly damaged 70 homes, completely destroyed over 180 beach huts and chalets, and more than 6,000 acres of land between Hunstanton and Wolferton had been decimated.
Worse was to come when it was discovered that 31 people had lost their lives.
Disaster Date: 01/31/1953
Memorial Sponsors: Local Council
Disaster Type: Natural
Relevant Website: [Web Link]
Date of dedication: Not listed
Parking Coordinates: Not Listed
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