Local Floods Make National News
By Sue Horncastle
In September 1968, tremendous storms over an autumn weekend left the villagers of Hullbridge isolated when floods caused by the unprecedented amount of rainfall over a short period cut off access roads.
The caravan site adjacent to the river Crouch was also inundated as a result of the downpour to the extent that parked cars all but disappeared. Many homes were flooded and rowing boats had to be used to rescue home owners.
Even at the top of the hill in the centre of the village storm drains were unable to cope with the amount of water in such a short period and in many places home owners had an anxious time wondering if they would be able to hold back the floods. (Daily Mirror).
Shortly after these events and others of a similar nature, a pumping station was built at Watery Lane and another under the A127/A130 junction with the aim of preventing similar floods in future.
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