Cleveleys is a charming town located on the Fylde Coast of Lancashire, England. It is situated approximately 4 miles north of Blackpool and 2 miles west of Fleetwood. Cleveleys occupies a prime position along the Irish Sea, making it a popular coastal destination for locals and tourists alike. The town offers beautiful views of the sea, a scenic promenade, and a range of amenities and attractions for visitors to enjoy.
Throughout the centuries , Cleveleys, like many coastal areas, experienced its fair share of storms.
From research, these ones seemed worth mentioning:
In 1720, **terrible floods** devastated the village of **Lytham** and surrounding farms. The area was severely affected by rising waters¹.
The Great Storm of 1822: This powerful storm struck the northwest coast of England, including Cleveleys, in November 1822. It brought strong winds and high tides, causing coastal flooding and damage to properties and infrastructure.
A storm of 1834 was graphically described:
Lancaster Gazette – Sat 4 January 1834
"POULTON, BLACKPOOL, ROSSALL etc – These places, on Tuesday last, were visited by one of the most severe storms ever remembered. The storm commenced at ten o’clock, wind S.W. and continued with unabated fury until three o’clock, when the wind had changed to a N.W. spreading havoc and destruction to every thing that opposed its fury. The damage done at Poulton is little in comparison to that done in the surrounding country, as the storm merely confined itself to the destruction of chimneys, the tiling of houses, the unroofing of corn stacks etc. But in order to form some idea to distant readers of the effects of this hurricane (for such it may be truly termed) in this part of the country, we must mention that during its visitation, wheel barrows, doors, and various other articles were taken up by the violence of the wind, and hurled to a considerable distance. Persons walking in the street were thrown down and in danger of their lives, from the falling of bricks, slates and other missiles; and we have heard of one female who was thrown down whilst crossing the street, and narrowly escaped being dashed to atoms against the wall of the Bull Inn. At Skippool, about half-a-mile from Poulton, the river Wyre rose to a considerable height, and although the tide was only 17 feet 5 inches high, yet from the violence of the wind, and the prevailing rains which have preceded the storm, the height of water upon the road leading to Preston was 4 feet, rendering it totally impassable for the space of two hours. The houses were entirely surrounded and inundated with water, and it was with the greatest difficulty that the cattle pasturing upon the Marsh were rescued from their perilous situation, but nothing in the way of casualty occurred, either from the loss of man or beast. During this time the neighbourhood appeared like one continued sheet of water, as scarcely anything else could be observed for the space of some miles. At Blackpool its effects were severely felt, as few houses escaped being unroofed, and two houses have been washed down by the sea breaking against them. The sea ran mountains high, wearing an aspect extremely awful, but superbly grand, the waves flying over the houses, breaking open the doors, and in some places sweeping the furniture away with its retiring waves. The cellars of the respective Inns were filled with water, and all attempts to get at the contents of them were entirely fruitless. Never before did a spectator behold such a scene. The surf was carried all through the village like a snow storm, the sea overflowing its boundaries into the fields for the space of a mile, at the lower point of the south end of Blackpool, and it was at this distance that it made its high water mark. Fortunately no loss was sustained in the way of cattle, as every person was on the alert to secure their property, expecting the result; all the damage being chiefly confined to the unroofing of the houses, and we have heard of one gentleman having suffered so much damage that a ton of slate will not repair the breaches that have been made upon the roof of his house. At Rossall, no language can describe the damage which has been done by the sea, and it is to be feared that Peter Hesketh Fleetwood, Esq. will be the chief sufferer. About the hall the damage done has been immense, and the gardens have suffered materially, the sea being 4 feet deep within the garden walls. In the Park also, the whole of the deer, and other animals kept therein have been drowned. Some outbuildings were washed away, so great was the violence of the sea and storm. The number of hares and rabbits that have fallen victims are quite innumerable, as the warren and other places are covered with their dead bodies. The sea-fencing has been very much damaged, by the combined influence of the wind and sea, and the vale which divides the road from the land on the road leading from Cleveleys to Rossall has suffered severely. At the Carr-houses, one of Mr Fleetwood’s farms, the corn stacks have suffered violently, being from three to four feet in water for a considerable time; and it is to be lamented that Mr Robt. Sykes, another tenant of Mr H.F. will be a considerable sufferer, the sea having broke in upon the meadow land, and so destructive is the sea-water to meadow-land, that but little produce will arise for some time to come in consequence."
Storm of December 1839: In December 1839, a significant storm battered the region, including Cleveleys. The storm brought heavy rainfall and strong winds, resulting in widespread flooding and disruption to communities along the coast.
The storm of **Christmas 1852** brought **storm-force winds and rain** to the Fylde Coast, causing significant damage in **Blackpool**, **Lytham**, and **Warton**¹.
A severe storm hit Cleveleys and surrounding areas in November 1880. It caused coastal flooding, destruction of coastal defences, and damage to buildings.
In 1895 the frost was so severe that the sea froze!
On **October 8, 1896**, the Great Storm wreaked havoc along the Fylde Coast. It caused widespread destruction and left a lasting impact¹.
In the past 100 years the years 1927, 1928 and 2015 stand out. In October 1927, a severe storm battered the Fylde coastline. Strong winds and high tides caused flooding in Cleveleys and other towns along the coast. Some piers and sea walls were damaged. In December 1927, another storm struck with heavy rain and gale-force winds. Flooding was reported in Cleveleys and other coastal towns. Railway lines were submerged and roads were blocked by floodwaters. That winter of 1927-8 cyclones and blizzards brought heavy seas, tides and winds. Significant property damage and disruption occurred in towns like Cleveleys due to the harsh winter storms. The Great Storm of 1928 was quite devastating. Also known as the "Cleveleys Disaster," it occurred in November 1928 and caused extensive damage and flooding in Cleveleys, resulting in the loss of many homes and claiming several lives.
Coastal flood defences like sea walls were improved and heightened after the storms and floods of the late 1920s to better protect the Fylde coast in future. However, the region remained vulnerable to severe storms and surge tides over the decades.
Recent times
Storm Desmond in 2015 had a significant impact on Cleveleys. In December 2015 it brought heavy rainfall and led to widespread flooding in the area. It caused damage to homes, and businesses, and disrupted daily life in the community.
Storm Ciara in February 2020 also caused flooding in Cleveleys, with strong winds and heavy rain leading to high tides and coastal flooding.
Storm Eunice, February 2022 brought howling winds and great spray to the the coast. In this video I filmed near Gynn Square,
Blackpool:
Cleveleys has experienced localized flooding from other storms as well, such as Storm Christoph in January 2021.
In **June 2023**, heavy rain and a storm led to a massive sewage discharge, resulting in the closure of several beaches on the Fylde Coast, including the iconic **Blackpool Central**⁴.
These storms left a lasting impact on the community, highlighting the need for effective flood defences and precautionary measures in the sea defences. Efforts have been made to improve flood defences in Cleveleys, including the construction of sea walls and improved drainage systems.
Sources:
(1) Lytham & St.Annes on the Sea Lancashire - Local History - WEATHER STORM .... https://www.amounderness.co.uk/weather_storm_&_flood.html.
(4) No swimming, no surfing: how a summer of sewage is ruining the British .... https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jun/18/no-swimming-no-surfing-how-a-summer-of-sewage-is-ruining-the-british-seaside-day-out
.(5) Britain's worst storms: from 1607 to 2023 - Countryfile.com. https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/britains-worst-storms.
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