TopFoto home
login register gallery about us contact us help
guest search

Search Tips
home - gallery package - British Floods Since 1483

Gallery Package - British Floods Since 1483


Click on a thumbnail for preview and caption information

1998<br>The street of Severn Side North in Bewdley Worcestershire remains submerged with more rain expected<br>31st October 1998
0014462
A typical scene in Sheerness, on the Isle of Sheppey, which has been cut off from the main land by the water.<br>2nd February 1953
0527783
2004<br>Flooded road caused by the River Severn that has burst its banks at Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire, Saturday February 7, 2004. PA photo: Barry Batchelor
pa0003350

1947 In an effort to check the flood water lapping over the bank tops of the Old West River at Earith, local volunteers work side by side with German prisoners of war building a barrier of earth-filled sacks. March 1947
0061717
1968<br>This was the unhappy scene during the height of the floods on Sunday evening - at the lower end of High Street Edenbridge Kent. There is a girl swimming across from one side to the other.<br>11 September 1968<br><br><br>
1011803
1953<br>Thames Estuary The camera plane swoops low over an isolated house in the Thames Estuary area as a boat reaches the front door. The men in the boat look up, the occupants wave Rescue is at hand for these victims of the disastrous floods which have ravaged Britains East Coast regions 2 February 1953
0535761

1953<br>Floods <br>2nd February 1953
0527784
1940 <br>Floods in Orpington could have informed the enemy of possible flooded airfields. 1940
0248570
Noah<br>BABYLONIAN MYTHOLOGY<br>'The Babylonian Deluge' or Flood, after a painting by E Wallcousins. From the 1920 edition of Mackenzie's 'Myths of Babylonia and Assyria'<br>
0587494

1483<br>Duke of Buckingham leading a rebellion against King Richard III attempts to cross the Severn at Gloucester but ten days of storms and rain swelled the waters so it became impassable.<br>18 October 1483<br>© Balean / TopFoto
0844290
1524<br>ASTROLOGY - INUNDATION IN PISCES. Woodcut after Leonhard Reymann's pamphlet regarding the 1524 conjunction (satellitium) in the constellation Pisces, and its attendant threat of flood
0543534
1607<br>Floods, 1607. A scene showing a flood and people drowning. From &quotA true report of certaine wonderfull ouerflowings of waters, now lately in Summerset-shire, Norfolke, and other places of England: destroying many thousands of men, women, and children, ouerthrowing and bearing downe whole townes and villages, etc". (London, 1607). <br>Credit: The British Library / HIP / TopFoto
hip0207613

1875<br>'A Voice from the Clouds', 1875. John Bull, the representative of the British people, stands up to his thighs in flood water, surrounded by the wreckage of household furniture. Jupiter of the Rains admonishes him for not having made adequate preparations for the floods. It seems that 1875 was a very wet year, with rainfall well above average. By the end of November many areas were suffering from severe flooding. It was claimed that no adequate safeguards were in place to prevent such occurrences and that lessons had not been learned from previous floods. As Mr Punch said, 'Tis the old, old story over again'. From &quotPunch, or the London Charivari", November 27, 1875. 'A Voice from the Clouds', 1875. <br>Credit: HIP / TopFoto
0510166
1877<br>'Seen from a Railway During the Late Floods', 1877. After nearly six inches of rain in December 1876, and the severe storms that followed in January 1877, widespread flooding forced people to find different means of getting around. From &quotPunch, or the London Charivari", February 24, 1877. 'Seen from a Railway During the Late Floods', 1877. <br>Credit: HIP / TopFoto
0510187
1877<br>&quotStreet life in London": sufferers from the floods
ali077919

1926<br>On the Shepperton Road, where the Richmond-Chertsey Bus Service was suspended: lifting in a lady passenger at Chertsey
0162290
1928<br>Scene of the most poignant tragedy of the great flood in the heart of London. The House in Grosvenor Road where for sisters were drowned <br>7th January 1928
0523307
1928<br>Tragedy of the bursting of the Thames Embankment Wall scene where two maid servants sleeping in a basement at River Court wre drowned Upper Mall Hammersmith 7 January 1928
0523304

1934<br>After the wettest December for 19 years there is extensive flooding in the Home Counties and foot and motor traffic has been held up everywhere - an average fall of six inches of rain ( double the normal total for the month ) has made roads into rivers and streets into lakes and in some places the water is knee deep - photo shows a general view of the floods at Hurst in Berkshire<br><br>December 29th 1934
0435384
2001<br>UK London -- Spectators evade flash floods near Putney Bridge on the River Thames in west London after the 2001 Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race -- 05/2001 -- Picture © Jon Mitchell / Lightroom Photos
0982486
1928<br>After The Snowstorm, Floods. An unwanted adventure on the way to work clambering along railings through floods on the Lea Bridge Road caused by a sudden rise of the River Lea January 1928
0523308

Widespread floods in East and North-east London and the western borders of Essex brought crisis to a million Londoners. The large Lea Bridge waterworks was put almost out of action by flood water from the burst River Lea which submerged many of the filter beds, and emergency methods of supply by mobile water wagons was introduced. Many streets were flooded and householders have been forced to move upstairs as deep water invaded ground floor rooms.<br>Photo shows the rations arriving by home made raft and delivered to householders in a first floor room in Otley Road, Clapton - 15th March 1947.<br>©TopFoto
1086004
With his legs twisted round a pipe, Jock Kerr of Tottenham worked over the whirling water at the weir at Lea Bridge Road waterworks to secure a drum of highly dangerous explosive, swept away from the Royal Ordnance factory at Waltham Cross, ten miles away. Weir keepers and river men keep a sharp look out for another missing drum - 19th March 1947.<br>©TopFoto
1085961
Starting a bow wave that nearly swamped the platforms, a Birmingham train leaving Nottingham L.M.S. Station, flooded for the first time since it was built when the River Trent overflowed. Driftwood floated through the railway yards.<br>Photo shows a train splashing through the flood waters at Nottingham 20th March 1947.<br>©TopFoto
1085963

Youngsters at the Aldersbrook Children's Hospital, Wanstead, swipe a free drink from the water-wagon, which arrived to deliver water to the hospital. The supply is cut off owing to the Lea Bridge water-works being out of action, caused by the filters being blocked through the floods.<br>©TopFoto
1085964
Voyage To Safety<br>The flooded River Thames, which now stretches unbroken from Windsor to Weybridge a distance of 10 to 12 miles has invaded many riverside homes and police and troops have been busy today (Monday) rescuing householders where some of them have had to take to roof tops. At Shepperton the river has cut the two in two and the occupants have been taken to Shepperton Station to get trains to stay with relatives.<br>Two Shepperton householder are brought by boat from their flooded houses to dry land by policeman and voluntary helpers .<br>17 March 1947
1085975
Shopping Centre.<br>A lorry splashing along and a postman delivering the mail are the only signs of life in the flooded High Street at Eton, in the Thames Valley. The swollen river has flooded thousands of acres of land and many riverside towns are seriously endangered by the floods.<br>Many bungalow dwellers have been taken away from their flooded homes by Army rescue parties working the amphibious vehicles of the type use by them for the invading of Normandy, people living in two storey houses have been forced to live entirely in the upstairs rooms.<br>19 March 1947
1086003

Scene in a Windsor street as troopers of the Royal Horse Guards Household Cavalry, with flood water above their knees, deliver hot meals to marooned families - 21st March 1947.<br>©TopFoto
1085985
Contrast in water transport in flooded Windsor where the rising waters of the Thames caused great damage - 19th March 1947.<br>©TopFoto
1085983
The flooded Thames Valley, where wide areas of countryside were under water, and many hundreds of houses flooded. Rain later in the day threatened to worsen the position and in some places the peak was not expected for a further two days.<br>Photo shows a water-taxi service taking businessmen home to their flooded houses at Maidenhead on 19th March 1947.<br>©TopFoto
1085960

Police use boats and punts to deliver food and drink to marooned residents in Bath, Somerset, who are experiencing the worst floods within living memory. In the Lower Bristol Road, the water is four feet deep.<br>Photo shows the Police Patrol using their telephone, which is nearly covered by the floods, reporting to headquarters - 15th March 1947.<br>©TopFoto
1085962
With the sound of cracking walls and rending timbers, smothered by the roar of the flood waters, the side of a house near the Fen Breach at Southery, Norfolk, collapsed into the torrent. All that stood of the house four hours after was one corner - the remainder having been washed away with all the household contents included.Photo shows the dramatic scene as the house began to crumble when the foundations were washed away by the flood waters.<br>©TopFoto
1085957
Whole areas of the countryside were deeply flooded as the snow thawed and rivers rose everywhere.<br>Photo shows an army armoured vehicle negotiating a flooded road at Bray, Berks on 12th March 1947.<br>©TopFoto
1085959

Serious floods continue to threaten many of the towns and villages of the Thames Valley. Windsor is among the most seriously affected towns, and the picture shows an Army &quotduck" towing a lorry that had broken down in the flooded town streets - 19th March 1947<br>©TopFoto
1085958
Police use boats and punts to deliver food and drink to marooned residents in Bath, Somerset, who are experiencing the worst floods within living memory. In the Lower Bristol Road, the water is four feet deep.<br>Photo shows the Police Patrol using their telephone, which is nearly covered by the floods, reporting to headquarters - 15th March 1947.<br>©TopFoto
1085955
Only tractors could get through the floods at Eynsford, Kent, when the river Darent overflowed its banks - 12th March 1947.<br>©TopFoto
1085956

1953<br>Bill Washford in a boat outside his house in Clyde Street Sheerness Kent fetch supples to his family seen passing a bottle of milk to his wife February 1953
0538319
1968<br>13th July 1968: Floods at Lower Bristol Street in Bath, which have caused huge traffic jams. O.P.S rescue young girls from their homes.
0765688
1959 <br>A bubble-car stuck in floodwater, 1959
0158510

1995<br>THE VILLAGE OF TEWKSBURY (GLOUCESTER) SURROUNDED BY FLOOD WATER.
star0002334
1932<br>Sea defences broken by flood tide at Winchelsea - bungalows flooded and holidaymakers marooned<br><br>September 4th 1932
0421734
1954<br>Owing to heavy rain, the pitch at White Hart Lane became waterlogged before the match between Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United. Picture shows a section of the gound before the match was due to start.<br>13th January 1954
0513767

Police rescue poultry from poultry farms in the flooded area of the Thames in Kent - 2nd February 1953
0782325
1953<br>High Tide at Richmond - 1953
0527789
1953<br>Floods <br>2nd February 1953
0527781

1953<br>Aerial view of flooded island of Foulness, one of the badly hit areas in the Thames estuary after great floods swept over Essex.<br>3rd February 1953
0535789
1953<br>Naval men at Harwich attempt to raise a man hole cover to allow flood waters to escape.<br>3rd February 1953
0535793
1953<br>Air view of the devastated area around Canvey Island showing the bungalows and houses half submerged by the floods. February 2nd 1953.
0537615

1963<br>Helping hands in the Northern Floods office girls were carried through flood waters in Morpeth Northumberland after River Wansbeck, swollen by the thaw overflowed its banks March 1963
0538303
The Great Flood Rescue of a horse which had been standing in the water for days near Sheerness Kent Februaury 1953
0538318
1953<br>Thames Floods At Belvedere licensee of the Belvoir sits in his bar and watches the water Charles Munn February 1953
0538363

1968<br>13th July 1968: Heavy floods in the west country of England caused snarl-ups in the traffic. Here a bailey bridge is being erected at Pensford.
0765691
1960<br>Floods<br>Vicar in Jeep Yalding Kent 4th Nov 1960
0011161
1960<br>Soldiers of the 36 Royal Engineers were drafted for duty during the Kent floods and this picture shows some of them helping a stranded motorist during the night of 6/7th November in flooded Maidstone<br><br>November 7th 1960
0020514

1928<br>London Flood 14th January 1928
0037262
1949<br>Thames 1949 Floods
0037263
1952<br>A policeman keeps in touch with his headquarters by walkie talkie whilst rescue workers carry on operations in the background of the main street of Lynmouth, 18 August 1952
0468740

1952<br>Scene in the Valley of Rocks cemetery, Lynton, as firemen lower the coffins of Lynmouth victims into their graves. The Vicar of Lynmouth, the Reverend Theodore Coldman, is seen conducting the service. 23 August 1952
0468742
1952<br>The aftermath of the devastating 'tidal wave' which swept through the Devon resorts of Lynmouth and Lynton. Picture shows the torrent rushing through the main road to Lynton, raging at the foundations of the wrecked Lyndale Hotel in Lynmouth. 17 August 1952
0468747
1928<br>The top of a lamp post just above the surface of swirling floods at Maidstone January 1928
0523311

1947<br>Barges having drifted down the River Lea have piled up at the lock at Lea Bridge where workmen are busy trying to clear the lock gates the have become jammed with floating debris which has been carried down the flood water.<br>14 March 1947
0938979
1953 Elsie Flint from the London School of Economics helps the seemingly endless task of sandbag filling on Canvey Island. Hundreds of other student volunteers arrived today to help too. Feb. 8 1953
0061718
1947<br>Collecting water. The disastrous winter of 1947 was followed by floods which in some places cut off the water suppply<br>Householders in Harrington Road Leytonstone seen as they line up to obtain their supply of water from the Wanstead Council Water Wagon
1058259

1947<br>Potato rationing at the basic rate of 3lb per person each week came into force in Britain. Due to drought, spring frosts and floods supplies will be less than those of 1946 by about a fifty. Picture shows: The scene at a London market as a housewife buys two weeks ration with her books.<br>10th November 1947
0963759
1952<br>Holiday maker Jennifer Dawn Johnson, 3, of Thundersley, Essex, clutches her teddy bear, recovered from the ruins of a Lynmouth Hotel, as she leaves flooded Lynmouth, 18 August 1952, with her mother, grandmother and father.
0468706
1952<br>The WVS (Women's Voluntary Service) sorting through clothes donated by the public for the flood victims at Lynton and Lynmouth, 19 August, 1952
0468741

1978 highest level recorded at St Margaret's Church, King's Lynn, Norfolk, 2005. View of the church founded by Herbert de Losinga, the first Bishop of Norwich, in 1101, showing the high water marks of various floods that have affected the church.
hip0021908
1928<br>The disastrous overflowing of the Thames: The normal high-tide level at the point at which the embankment broke near Lambeth Bridge, and the level reached by the waters on January 7th.<br>14 August 1928
0256609

NOTE: Picture quality on the Internet varies greatly. Different monitor settings and browser software may display photos too dark or too light, or with a colour cast. You may need to adjust the brightness & contrast of your monitor.

phone: +44 (0) 1732 863939   fax: +44 (0) 1732 860215
Home | Email
 © 2007 Topfoto.co.uk. All Rights Reserved
Images may be used for viewing, comping and layout purposes only.