Kennaway House
10 July 2018 will be the 50th anniversary of one of the worst natural disasters to strike Sidmouth. The occasion was a major summer storm which affected a large part of East Devon, creating one of the worst flooding events the town has witnessed.
On Wednesday 10 July 1968, some 65mm (21⁄2 inches) of rain fell in a very short period late in the afternoon. An even larger amount of rain was recorded further inland where Honiton suffered 100mm (4”) and even this was surpassed by the amount recorded in the Blackdown Hills. The bridges over the River Otter at Fenny Bridges and Tipton St John were washed away – the latter falling spectacularly at 1.00am the following morning.
The whole of the River Sid catchment was affected, with water levels being recorded to a depth of 3 ft 9 inches in cottages in Sidbury, where sadly an 86 year old lady was drowned in the front room of her cottage. The Salty Monk at Sidford (then called Apple Garth) was flooded to a depth of 5 ft, and Sidmouth town recorded over 100 properties being flooded. The river in the Byes flooded the entire width of the valley. Fortunately the rain ceased by 9.00pm – an hour after high tide, and by 10.50pm the sky was clear and the moon was visible! Teams of volunteers turned out to help in the clean up operation which took several days and was a great tribute to all concerned.
The ‘Great Flood Exhibition’ in Kennaway House on 7th & 8th July 2018 will commemorate the event. We have a number of photographs and maps showing the extent of the flooding and the townsfolk involved in the rescue.
The Environment Agency have been invited and will be on hand to explain the works that have since been undertaken to help alleviate a recurrence of the events of July 1968. It is anticipated that the exhibition will provide a great opportunity for the community to recall the events of that July day.
If you were involved, or know of anyone who participated in the occasion, and who may have photos or stories of the flood, please contact either the Museum – Ann Tanner whose email is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the River Warden This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with details so that they can be incorporated in the Exhibition.
