Storm Event

‘Worst storm for 60 years’ causes devastating flooding at Fleetwood, Lancashire

Severity ? 5

Source

During 27th October 1927, the storm began to form over the central North Atlantic at around 40o N. It followed a northwesterly path towards the British Isles, generating southwesterly winds in its wake with a modest central air pressure of approximately 985 mbar. At Valentia, Ireland the wind speed was reportedly around 60 mph, and a [gust] of 78 mph was recorded (The Argus, 1927).

We are unaware of any information regarding the sea level conditions during this event. Within the national tide gauge network, only the Newlyn tide gauge was operational at the time, but this was away from the region of influence. At Newlyn the water level return period was less than 1 year. The event occurred at peak spring tides.

We are unaware of any sources of information describing the wave conditions during this event.

Pathway

The failure of defences at Fleetwood, which were described as being left “demolished”, was the key flood pathway during this event. Defence failures were reported for other locations, including the harbour wall at Portmadoc (Lamb, 1991).

Receptor and Consequence

This event is notable for severe flooding in Fleetwood, Lancashire where 6 people, including three hospital patients, were drowned [one body washed 150 yards away] when a storm surge of “unparalleled height” breached the sea wall (Lamb, 1991; Fleetwood Weekly News, 2007; Wyre Council, 2013). Around 5 km2 of the Fylde peninsula was inundated by an estimated 41 million tons of water, in parts up to 12 ft. [3.7 m] deep (Met Office, 1927; Wyre Council, 2013). Around 10,000 people (45% of the population) in Fleetwood were “badly” affected and over 1,200 properties “seriously” damaged (The Times, 1927; Wyre Council, 2013). Coastal cottages at Criccieth were described as being left “tumbled” down by the water (Lamb, 1991), and one Fleetwood resident said he had counted nine caravans floating past his house (The Times, 1927). There were also serious impacts on infrastructure and public services. Lancaster Isolation Hospital was flooded when the River Lune overflowed its banks and three tuberculosis patients, who were sleeping on the ground [floor], were drowned (The Argus, 1927). According to Wyre Council (2013) road and rail links to Fleetwood were cut off, while gas and electricity supplies were “severed”. The electricity works were also flooded which “plunged the town into darkness” (The Times, 1927). With some areas flooded for a number of days, the weight of the floodwater left telephonic and telegraphic cables broken. The flood extended inland as far as Aberglaslyn and drowned many cattle (Lamb, 1991). In total, there were around 30 deaths according to The Argus (1927), with several boating incidents including 12 fisherman who were drowned in Tellegan Bay, Ireland (Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertise, 1927). Damage to the sea wall in Fleetwood was estimated at £11,000, equivalent to around £0.6m today (BBC 1986; Lamb, 1991). Several other locations across the northwest were reportedly affected including Blackpool, Sandylands, Criccieth, Aberglaslyn and Portmadoc. During the immediate aftermath, pumping operations were compounded by heavy rain (The Argus, 1927). The town was isolated for 2 days, and some areas remained under several feet of water even 3 days after the breach (The Times, 1927). The lack of light and unoccupied properties also led to looting taking place. A later inquest concluded that future use of the flooded hospital is not recommended (The Times, 1927).

Summary Table

Loss of life 6 persons were drowned, including 3 bed bound hospital patients
Residential property 1,200 properties were “seriously” damaged
Evacuation & rescue *
 
Cost Damages of £40,000 at Morecambe and Heysham (an estimated £2.2 million in 2014)
Ports *
Transport Road and rail links to Fleetwood were “washed away”, and telephonic and telegraphic cables were crushed under the weight of flood water
Energy Electricity and gas supplies to Fleetwood were “severed”
Public services Lancaster Isolation Hospital was flooded (and 3 patients drowned)
Water & wastewater *
Livestock “Many” cattle drowned during this event
Agricultural land *
 
Coastal erosion *
Natural environment *
Cultural heritage *
Coastal defences Sea wall in Fleetwood was “demolished”

*No known sources of information available

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References

  1. The Argus, (1927). ‘Gale in Britain’. The Argus. Available at: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/3888514.
  2. Lamb, H. H. (1991). Historic Storms of the North Sea, British Isles and Northwest Europe. Cambridge University Press. Available at: http://assets.cambridge.org/97805216/19318/excerpt/9780521619318_excerpt.pdf (Accessed: 13 March 2015).
  3. Lamb, H. H. (1991). Historic Storms of the North Sea, British Isles and Northwest Europe. Cambridge University Press. Available at: http://assets.cambridge.org/97805216/19318/excerpt/9780521619318_excerpt.pdf(Accessed: 13 March 2015).
  4. Fleetwood Weekly News, (2007). ‘Anniversary of Fleetwood floods marked’. Fleetwood Weekly News. Available at: http://www.fleetwoodtoday.co.uk/news/local/anniversary-of-fleetwood-floods-marked-1-1559999.
  5. Wyre Borough Council, (2013). Wyre Urban Core Strategy: Strategy Appraisal Report, Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire. Available at: http://www.wyre.gov.uk/downloads/file/2030/strategy_appraisal_report.
  6. Met Office, 1927. Monthly Weather Report of the Meteorological Office. Monthly Weather Report, 44(10). Available at: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/library/archive-hidden-treasures/monthly-weather-report-1920s.
  7. The Times, (1927). ‘Toll of the gale; The Fleetwood flood; Mother and three children drowned’. Times Newspapers Limited.
  8. Wyre Borough Council, (2013). Wyre Urban Core Strategy: Strategy Appraisal Report, Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire. Available at: http://www.wyre.gov.uk/downloads/file/2030/strategy_appraisal_report.
  9. The Argus, (1927). ‘Gale in Britain’. The Argus. Available at: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/3888514.
  10. Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, (1927). ‘Disastrous Storm in Britain’. Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser. Available at: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/76856518.
  11. BBC, (1986). ‘Floods in Fleetwood: Domesday Reloaded’. BBC News. Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-332000-444000/page/13 (Accessed: 23 November 2014).