Floods in the City: 80 years ago

[Weather-history]

The Thames Flooding of January 1928

The Thames flooding of 7th of January 1928 caused serious flooding in London as a combination of a high tide and melt water from the rapidly melting snow caused the Thames to burst its banks.

After the Christmas Blizzard came a thaw with southerly winds flowing across the UK at the New Year. With all the melt water, the Thames was higher than normal. On the 6th, a depression tracked across the UK bringing severe gales to the south of the low and a lot of wind damage. Later that night in combination with a high tide, the swollen Thames burst its banks. There was serious flooding in the City, Southwark, Westminster, Putney and Hammersmith. The vaults of the Palace of Westminster was flooded as was the normally dry moat of the Tower of London. The Tate Gallery was badly affected with several valuable paintings damaged.

The human cost was worse with 14 people dying, mostly drowning in their basements and hundreds more, homeless. Following this flooding, the Thames embankment was raised a metre higher.

Both January and February 1928 were mild months, January was a washout whilst February was at times stormy. All three winter months contained notable weather events.

From the Times of 7th January 1928

[MAF]

as ever a great read Kev. thank you for posting that. made my morning coffee break an enjoyable one