Flash floods in Cornwall

[Hagar]

I heard about this on the radio this morning. Watch out Woody. Batten down the hatches chaps. Hope it's not headed my way.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/3570940.stm

Dozens rescued from flash floods

A major rescue operation is continuing in north Cornwall, where flash floods have devastated a coastal village.

Heavy storms on Monday afternoon caused 6cm (2ins) of rain to fall in two hours in the Boscastle area.

Seven rescue helicopters were scrambled to winch people stranded on rooftops and in cars to safety.

Rescue workers described the situation as "horrendous" as buildings and cars were washed into the sea, and up to 1,000 people may have to be evacuated.

Michael Mulford, spokesman for RAF Kinloss which is co-ordinating the military rescue effort, said hundreds more people could need air-lifting from the flood-stricken area.

Before anyone starts muttering about "Global Warming" this happened exactly 52 years to the day after the Lynmouth flood disaster. http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/16/newsid_2960000/2960180.stm
This was blamed at the time on rain-making experiments.

There was some speculation the flash flooding could have been caused by Ministry of Defence experiments in rain-making. By dropping dry ice into clouds, the idea was to start a heavy storm which would bog down enemy movements.

Survivors of the disaster called for - but never got - an inquiry. The MoD denied it was to blame.

In reality I suspect that both were caused by the tail-end of a hurricane in the US.

[Saitek]

I suspect that both were caused by the tail-end of a hurricane in the US.

Probably. The US like to have everything big. Even their storms!

Ben

[ozzy72]

Seven helicopters from the Royal Navy and the Coast Guard involved in this rescue. That is some serious air-power

[Hagar]

Seven helicopters from the Royal Navy and the Coast Guard involved in this rescue. That is some serious air-power

Seven helicopters doesn't seem that impressive to me. I noticed the rescue was being coordinated from RAF Kinloss which is about as far away from Cornwall as it's possible to get.

I was wondering what would happen if we were to get a similar disaster where I live. HMS Daedelus (the FAA base at Lee-on-Solent) was closed down in 1996 due to defence cutbacks. The Coastguard still operates one S-61 from there to cover the whole south east coast of England. The nearest FAA/RAF rescue helicopters are now based at RAF Chivenor in Devon.

[Saitek]

Seven helicopters doesn't seem that impressive to me. I noticed the rescue was being coordinated from RAF Kinloss which is about as far away from Cornwall as it's possible to get.

I was wondering what would happen if we were to get a similar disaster where I live. HMS Daedelus (the FAA base at Lee-on-Solent) was closed down in 1996 due to defence cutbacks. The Coastguard still operates one S-61 from there to cover the whole south east coast of England. The nearest FAA/RAF rescue helicopters are now based at RAF Chivenor in Devon.

It's interesting as you say. They have chopped back the place near you and flew helis all the way from Kinloss. What I don't understand is that I have two military airports near me. Lossiemouth and Kinloss. They are about 30 miles down the road from Inverness and are only a few miles from each other. Why isn't there just Lossiemouth/Kinloss, rather than two?

They have a Nimrod and fighters always going round the sky'sthere. I've been on that road passed the airport I think 15 times or more and I've always seen at least one flying.

Ben

[Saitek]

wow! Look at the pics here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/p ... html/1.stm

Ben

[ozzy72]

Normally you're lucky if you get two though Doug, sorry I didn't clarify myself well there...

[Jaffa]

Where's Woody?

[stiz]

I don't think there has been that many casualties but last i heard there where still a few people missing  :'(.

I visited there a couple of times on my familys yearly trip to see my nan. Its such a shame that this has happened as it really was a nice area with friendly people.

Stiz