Cornwall flooding: Massive flash flood hits Cornish village, destroying homes

Helicopter crews airlift residents from Coverack following flash floods

A flash flood has swept through the Cornish Village of Coverack filling homes with water and causing extensive damage.

Emergency services said floodwaters which are as high as four feet in some places.

A couple in their 70s were rescued by a coastguard helicopter, based in Newquay, a spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed.

Images and footage from Coverack showed floodwater pouring through the village and over the sea wall below.

Flood waters pour over the sea wall in Coverack, Cornwall (PA)

Residents said that rain and hailstones a wide as 50p pieces lashed the town after 3pm with the storm lasting an hour and a half.

Bill Frisken, a local councillor in Coverack, told the BBC he could not reach the centre of the village because the main road was underwater.

“It was almost instantaneous,” he said. “The village has effectively been cut in half, you can't cross the river.”

Pictures also show the main road into the village, the B3294, has been completely destroyed by the volume of water surging over it, and residents can not get into or out of the village.

Coverack resident Chloe Marsland told ITV news her garage was flooded with 12 inches of water: “It's like Boscastle all over again, there is no business or house not been affected.”

“It's absolutely harrowing,” she added. “The house opposite me filled with water really quickly.”

Ms Marsland said she thought everyone in the village was safe.

Some 50 properties were affected by the flooding, but no injuries were reported, a council spokesman said, although several people were rescued from their homes.

An emergency centre was opened in Truro's County Hall on Tuesday night.

Chief Inspector Mark Bolt, from Devon and Cornwall police, who is leading the response, said: "This will have been a very distressing incident for all those involved and our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.

"We would like to thank the crews from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, the Search and Rescue helicopter and HM Coastguard Service for their efforts. "

A council spokesman confirmed some properties in the village and one of the roads suffered structural damage and are due to be inspected by structural engineers.

A local hotel offered accommodation to anyone unable to return to their home, while one elderly resident was moved to a local nursing home.

A meeting is due to be held for residents at the village's Parish Hotel on Wednesday morning, which will be attended by council officers.