Storm Event

Several locations in southeast England were flooded, including London

Severity ? 3

Source

The storm formed east of Newfoundland during 28th-29th November 1926 and moved eastwards at around 65oN towards the British Isles. Having partly combined with another low-pressure system situated over the Norwegian Sea, the storm intensified while west of Scandinavia with a central air pressure of approximately 960 mbar. There were north-westerly winds over the North Sea during 30th November which later became a north to north-westerly orientation through the 1st December.

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

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

Pathway

We are unaware of information regarding the flood pathways for this event.

Receptor and Consequence

The Times (1936) reported a storm surge that caused widespread flooding along east and southeast coastal areas, including London, Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth, Southend and Ramsgate (Hickey, 1997; Zong and Tooley, 2003). Low-lying parts of Lowestoft were flooded. The main railway line from Yarmouth to London was under water, and all services on the Colchester-Clacton main line between Hythe and Wivenhoe were subsequently delayed. Many residential properties were flooded and occupants of caravans were left marooned. At Wivenhoe, on the banks of the Colne, the gas works were put out of action when flood water extinguished the fires in the retorts. Flooded buildings included a canning factory, an inn, the British Legion hall, and the council’s pumping station. Hundreds of tonnes of cliff were eroded at Southwold. In Pakefield, Suffolk, part of a house in Beach Road was lost to the sea.

Summary Table

Loss of life *
Residential property “Many” properties flooded
Evacuation & rescue *
 
Cost *
Ports *
Transport The main railway line from Yarmouth to London was under water, and all services on the Colchester-Clacton main line between Hythe and Wivenhoe were stopped
Energy A gas power station at Wivenhoe ceased operation due to flood water
Public services *
Water & wastewater *
Livestock *
Agricultural land *
 
Coastal erosion Hundreds of tonnes of cliff eroded at Southwold
Natural environment *
Cultural heritage *
Coastal defences *

*No known sources of information available

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References

  1. The Times, 1936. ‘East coast damage; Main line train service stopped’. Times Newspapers Limited [London, England]. The Times Digital Archive.
  2. Hickey, K. R. (1997). Documentary records of coastal storms in Scotland, 1500-1991 A.D. Coventry University. Available at: https://curve.coventry.ac.uk/open/file/aa6dfd04-d53f-4741-1bb7-bdf99fb153be/1/hick1comb.pdf.
  3. Zong, Y. and Tooley, M. J. A. (2003). ‘Historical Record of Coastal Floods in Britain: Frequencies and Associated Storm Tracks’. Natural Hazards, 29, 13–36. Available at: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A%3A1022942801531 (Accessed: 5 March 2015).