Storm Event
“Fowls, dogs, boxes of tools and household stuff were floating about in all directions”
Source:
This event was associated with strong south-westerly wind which effected the south coast (Davidson, 1991).
Pathway:
No known sources of information.
Receptor and Consequence:
This coastal flood event effected areas across the UK, including Edinburgh and the Isle of Man (ref title=”Hickey, 1997″]Hickey, K. R. (1997). Documentary records of coastal storms in Scotland, 1500-1991 A.D. Retrieved from https://curve.coventry.ac.uk/open/file/aa6dfd04-d53f-4741-1bb7-bdf99fb153be/1/hick1comb.pdf.[/ref]; Zong and Tooley, 2003). The force of the high tide took down a stretch of sea wall in Edinburgh, from Joppa to Portobello (ref title=”Hickey, 1997″]Hickey, K. R. (1997). Documentary records of coastal storms in Scotland, 1500-1991 A.D. Retrieved from https://curve.coventry.ac.uk/open/file/aa6dfd04-d53f-4741-1bb7-bdf99fb153be/1/hick1comb.pdf.[/ref]). On 2ndJanuary 1877, there was serious flooding around the River Thames, at Southwark, Lambeth and Wansworth, where hundreds of homes were flooded. The effects of the storm surge were exacerbated by heavy rain (Brazell, 1968). Images from The Pictorial World depicts shocked families fleeing as flood water invades their homes, and rowing boats being used in the streets (1877: When Old Father Thames turned on his children – again, 2017).
The south coast was worst hit, with families forced to seek refuge in the top floors of their flooded homes. Hayling Island was cut-off from the mainland as the connecting bridge was lost. Witnesses saw household items ‘floating about in all directions’ in in Southampton, and shingle flung at seaside properties’ windows in Portsmouth by the force of the waves. Boats were required to save livestock in Northam, from fields which were transformed into ‘lakes’ (Davidson, 1991).
Summary table:
| Loss of life | * |
| Residential property | Low-lying property flooded in Southampton. Hundreds of homes flooded near the River Thames |
| Evacuation & Rescue | * |
| Cost | * |
| Ports | * |
| Transport | Bridge connecting Hayling Island to the mainland was lost |
| Energy | * |
| Public services | * |
| Water & wastewater | * |
| Livestock | Livestock rescued from their fields by boats |
| Agricultural land | * |
| Coastal erosion | * |
| Natural environment | * |
| Cultural heritage | * |
| Coastal defences | Sea wall from Portobello to Joppa was demolished |
*No known sources of information available
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References
- Davison, M., Currie, I., and Ogley, B. (1993). The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Weather Book. Westerham, Kent: Froglets Publications Ltd, Brasted Chart.
- Zong, Y. & Tooley, M. J. A. (2003). Historical Record of Coastal Floods in Britain: Frequencies and Associated Storm Tracks. Natural Hazards, 29, 13–36.
- Brazell, J. H. (1968). London weather. London: H. M. S. O
- 1877: When Old Father Thames turned on his children – again. (2017). Retrieved [05/09/2018] from https://vauxhallhistory.org/1877-when-old-father-thames-turned-on-his-children-again/