 Pool River in Catford during the flood | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Date | September 1968 |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | None[1] |
| Damage | More than 14,000 properties flooded.[2] |
| Areas affected | Home counties |
The Great Flood of 1968 was a flood caused by a pronounced trough of low pressure which brought exceptionally heavy rain and thunderstorms to South East England and France in mid-September 1968, with the worst on Sunday 15 September 1968, and followed earlier floods in South West England during July.[3] This was likely the severest inland flood experienced in the Home Counties during the last 100 years.[1][4]
The areas worst hit were Crawley, East Grinstead, Horley, Lewisham, Petersfield, Redhill, Tilbury, Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge. [5]
On 15 September 1968, the 9:50 Charing Cross to Hastings was diverted along the Edenbridge line, but was surrounded by flood water at Edenbridge railway station. 150 passengers spent 12 hours stuck on the train.
