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Boscastle on alert after flooding Boscastle on alert after flooding
(40 minutes later)
Floods have hit the Cornish village of Boscastle leaving shops and properties under about 2ft (610mm) of water.Floods have hit the Cornish village of Boscastle leaving shops and properties under about 2ft (610mm) of water.
Cars have also been abandoned in the village which was devastated by flooding in 2004.Cars have also been abandoned in the village which was devastated by flooding in 2004.
Cornwall Fire Brigade, which has crews pumping out water and helping residents, said the worst affected area was by the harbour.Cornwall Fire Brigade, which has crews pumping out water and helping residents, said the worst affected area was by the harbour.
Search and rescue helicopters from RNAS Culdrose and RMB Chivenor are currently on standby.Search and rescue helicopters from RNAS Culdrose and RMB Chivenor are currently on standby.
On 16 August 2004 torrential rain caused an estimated 440 million gallons of flood water to pour through the historic village, devastating many buildings and washing vehicles into the harbour and beyond.On 16 August 2004 torrential rain caused an estimated 440 million gallons of flood water to pour through the historic village, devastating many buildings and washing vehicles into the harbour and beyond.
I thought 'Oh God, here we go again' Rose Martin, Boscastle residentI thought 'Oh God, here we go again' Rose Martin, Boscastle resident
The Environment Agency said the flooding on Thursday had been caused by prolonged rain, which had now eased.The Environment Agency said the flooding on Thursday had been caused by prolonged rain, which had now eased.
Paul Gainey told BBC News: "This is road flooding caused by about 30mm of rain falling in the past hour.Paul Gainey told BBC News: "This is road flooding caused by about 30mm of rain falling in the past hour.
"This is just surface water - there is no river water flooding."This is just surface water - there is no river water flooding.
"The low pressure area which brought the rain is starting to move away to the north east and should be clear in about an hour [2000 BST].""The low pressure area which brought the rain is starting to move away to the north east and should be clear in about an hour [2000 BST]."
Mr Gainey said residents were using sandbags to protect their properties.Mr Gainey said residents were using sandbags to protect their properties.
"It's a muddy mess - we didn't expect to see again," said one resident. Resident Hedley Venning said some properties close to the river had been flooded by up to 3ft but that the waters were starting to fall.
High tide is due at about 2230 BST "The river is receding and most of the emergency services are going, so we're all relieved," he said.
"We thought this was going be part two. It was just a case of holding on and hoping for the best."
Cornwall Fire Brigade was called to the scene of the flooding
Another resident said: "It's a muddy mess - we didn't expect to see again," said one resident.
Staff and customers at Clovelly Clothing on the harbourside were trapped for a time by rising floodwater before they were able to leave the shop.Staff and customers at Clovelly Clothing on the harbourside were trapped for a time by rising floodwater before they were able to leave the shop.
Rose Martin, who lives at the top of the village, said she was worried the village was about to experience a repeat of the devastation.Rose Martin, who lives at the top of the village, said she was worried the village was about to experience a repeat of the devastation.
"Our conservatory was really shaking with the pressure of the rain," she said."Our conservatory was really shaking with the pressure of the rain," she said.
"Exactly like it did three years ago and I thought 'Oh God, here we go again'.""Exactly like it did three years ago and I thought 'Oh God, here we go again'."
The fire brigade said the river has not burst its banks.The fire brigade said the river has not burst its banks.
Adrian Prescott, chairman of Boscastle Chamber of Commerce, said the situation seemed to be under control.Adrian Prescott, chairman of Boscastle Chamber of Commerce, said the situation seemed to be under control.
"There's a few [properties] which have obviously taken some flood water - there's a couple of businesses, one definitely that's had some damage on the lower level, and probably another one that's got water in it," he said."There's a few [properties] which have obviously taken some flood water - there's a couple of businesses, one definitely that's had some damage on the lower level, and probably another one that's got water in it," he said.
"But I mean we're talking nowhere near the scale of last time.""But I mean we're talking nowhere near the scale of last time."
Work carried out by the Environment Agency to deepen the river banks was praised by the landlord of the Riverside Hotel.Work carried out by the Environment Agency to deepen the river banks was praised by the landlord of the Riverside Hotel.
Peter Templar said: "The deeper river banks have made a tremendous difference and thank goodness the tide was out."Peter Templar said: "The deeper river banks have made a tremendous difference and thank goodness the tide was out."
'Full alert''Full alert'
He said most of the villagers were on sandbag duty and clean-up mode.He said most of the villagers were on sandbag duty and clean-up mode.
"So far we've escaped quite lightly, but it's hammering down again and we're expecting a bad night.""So far we've escaped quite lightly, but it's hammering down again and we're expecting a bad night."
North Cornwall District Council spokesman Mike Beckett told BBC News the situation in the village was being closely monitored.North Cornwall District Council spokesman Mike Beckett told BBC News the situation in the village was being closely monitored.
"The rain appears to have eased off slightly and the river level is okay," he said."The rain appears to have eased off slightly and the river level is okay," he said.
"There is a lot of standing water, but we've got council staff there with sandbags and fire officers will be on site until 2200 BST, when they will review the situation."There is a lot of standing water, but we've got council staff there with sandbags and fire officers will be on site until 2200 BST, when they will review the situation.
"The county council is also aware and all agencies are on full alert and will respond accordingly.""The county council is also aware and all agencies are on full alert and will respond accordingly."
Graham King from the local coastguard team said: "We're just being careful.Graham King from the local coastguard team said: "We're just being careful.
"If it started really chucking it down again and the river levels came up, obviously coinciding with a high tide, the river could back up and we don't want that.""If it started really chucking it down again and the river levels came up, obviously coinciding with a high tide, the river could back up and we don't want that."

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