On [[August 16]] [[2004]], Boscastle suffered extensive damage when 27.1 [[inch]]es (6181 [[centimetremillimetre|cmmm]]) of rain fell over the high ground just inland from the village in 25 hours during the afternoon. TheAt torrentialthe peak of the downpour, at about 15:45 [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]], 24mm of rain combined(almost withone ainch) risingwas tiderecorded at Lesnewth, 2.5 miles (4km) up the valley from Boscastle; in just 15 minutes. In Boscastle itself, 3.5 inches (88mm) of rain was recorded in 60 minutes. The torrential rain led to a 7 [[foot]] (2 [[metre]]) rise in river levels in one [[hour]]. A 10 foot (3 metre) wave — believed to have been triggered by water pooling behind debris caught under a bridge, and then being suddenly released as the bridge collapsed — surged down the main road, travelling at an estimated 40 [[miles per hour]] (65 [[km/h]]). Around 50 cars and 6 buildings were washed into the sea, along with uprooted trees and other debris. Many other buildings were reported unsafe or to have suffered serious flood damage. Most of the [[tourist]] attractions and shops are in the oldest parts of the town, in the areas most affected by the flood at the bottom of the river valleys. The visitor centre was half demolished, and the [[museum]] of [[witchcraft]] was also severely damaged[http://www.museumofwitchcraft.com/].
In an operation lasting from mid-afternoon until 2.30am, a fleet of seven [[helicopter]]s rescued about 150 people clinging to trees and the roofs of buildings and cars. Amazingly no major injuries or loss of life were reported. Following the rescues, emergency services cleared debris that had built up beneath and over the bridge at the centre of the village, and waters receded. Early assessments of the damage caused by the floods have concluded that many buildings may have to be demolished.
