Some 350 years ago this month, Worcester folk were continuing to watch the river level carefully. They had just witnessed the Great Flood of Christmas 1672.
In recent weeks many have been doing the same.
The 1672 Flood would be beaten in 1770. The height of this flood would be marked using a brass plate due to its record breaking water level.
The plate was engraved ‘On the November 18, 1770, the flood rose to the lower edge of the plate, being ten inches higher than the flood which occurred on December 23, 1672'.
Flooding has affected Worcester for centuries and a short length of wall next to the Medieval Water Gate was chosen to mark large flood events.
Apart from the 1770 brass plate, the others are carved into stone blocks and fitted into the wall after the water recedes. In more recent years Apprentice Stonemasons from the Cathedral have carved them to show their freshly learned skills.
Before photography was even thought about, written records tell us how the flooding affected Worcester and the surrounding area.
One record tells of a Great Flood during the Wars of the Roses which halted an entire army in October 1484.
READ MORE: Worcester floods 2023: latest on the floods across Worcestershire
The flood water itself was referred to as ‘The Duke of Buckingham’s Water’, after the Duke was prevented from getting to King Richard III and his army.
Journalist, local historian and antiquarian, John Noake also mentions another devastating flood that sounds worse than that of 1672 or 1770!
'November ye 29, 1620. In the River Severn was the greatest flood that ever was seen since the flood of Noah, there was drowned at Homstone's Loade, 68 persons as they whare going to Bewdley Faire'.
When the River Severn returns within its banks and when the fantastic city council employees jet wash the silt and remove the debris left behind, do take a look at the flood markers.
It shows large flood events that also took place in the Summer months and even when the Severn was dredged on a regular basis.
‘Discover History’ use these flood markers all the time especially when we deliver the ‘Severn Story’ walking tour. A tour that focuses on the City and its once strong connection with the river.
The 1811 flood followed a once in a lifetime hail storm! In the summer of 1847 another large storm filled the Severn very quickly, causing the Severn to burst the banks in just a few hours.
This flood swamped many homes and businesses in the low lying areas of Tybridge Street, Hylton Road, Quay Street and Dolday.
Further storms and floods appeared in the following years, with a ‘Loss of life and terrible devastation’ being recorded in the Berrow’s Journal in 1886.
In June 1924 the Three Counties Show was held on Pitchcroft and resulted in thousands of pounds of damage following an extremely fast flood event. Berrow’s described the scene - ‘motor vehicles and drays were chartered from all over the city to rescue prize cattle and sheep and valuable items of equipment.’
The biggest flood in living memory was the winter of 1947. Britain was already on its knees from the Second World War and Austerity measures were affecting everyone!
By February 1947, following conditions of minus 10 degrees, the temperatures rose and 15ft snow drifts thawed at great speed. Heavy rain also added to the water levels, which in turn cut St John’s off from the rest of Worcester.
During this time, tall horse drawn farm wagons and military amphibious craft, as used in the Rhine Crossings, were employed to ferry people across the bridge through cold, swirling flood water. New Road alone was under 8ft of water.
A rail shuttle service was established between Foregate Street Station and Henwick Halt, which helped join the two sides of the City as one. One lady was rescued by sliding from her roof on a carpet and into an awaiting rescue boat. Another person used a door as a punt and rescued himself!
If you visit the flood markers in the shadow of Worcester Cathedral, look carefully at the dates and you will see how unpredictable floods are. They have happened all year round and we have to hope we are not erecting flood markers on a more regular basis.
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