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From the 15th century it has been known that
Jaywick is one of the most vulnerable Essex coastal villages prone
to flooding. By the 18th century the building of sea walls had
begun.
1730 There was a horrific flood and most of Jaywick was under
water.
1809 Breakwaters are put up to keep the remaining sands on the
beach.
1946 During November a south west gale with heavy rain and thunderstorms
breached the sea wall.
1947 Once again there was flooding.
1948 The weekend after bank holiday. August the 9th. An unusual
comination of a fierce north westerly wind combined with a high
spring tide caused the sea to break over the sea wall. At 3am
policemens whistles were alerting people to the floods. Although
many escaped others were rescued by policemen in swimsuits.
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Holiday makers making good their escape by running along the seafront.
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1950 Jaywick Free holders assosiation showed enterprise
in constructing the concrete sea wall to protect Brooklands, this
was taken over by the council.
1953 Saturday 31st January One of the most well known floods of
the east coast also known as The Great Flood.
In Jaywick 37 people drowned, the sea devistated Brooklands housing
estate and 700 people were left homeless. |
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| When the storm hit Jaywick the wooden chalets that
had been built for holiday use didn't stand a chance. Many were lifted
and over turned as were the caravans on the Tower camp, some just
floated away. From the 700 people that lived there 37 were drowned.
others died later from exposure and shock. The Morrocco
cafe was used as a reception center as it was one of the drier
areas of Jaywick that night. |
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Brooklands Gardens |
| 1987 Weds 7th October was a night to remember, once
again the tide came over the sea wall flooding the roads of Brooklands.
It was the night the hurricane hit the rest of Britian. In Jaywick
roofs were lost, caravans overturned, an arcade flattened and electrity
off for three days. Waves of between 30 and 50 ft came crashing
over the sea wall. That night many people were evacuated to Frobisher
School While others stayed in their homes, the roads to Clacton
were cut off. Tower camp had caravans
overturned and the whole entertainment center flattened. |
Tower camp after the 1953 flood.
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The entrance to Brooklands with 30ft waves coming over the sea wall
1987.
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