People in Coverack have been airlifted from their homes this evening after becoming trapped by flood water.
Heavy flooding hit the St Keverne and Coverack area this afternoon, making many routes impassable and even causing some roads to collapse.
Photo: Frank Gzonka
The steep road down into Coverack became a waterfall, making the village inaccessible even by foot.
An already busy emergency services were forced to concentrate on the village as a matter of priority, with sirens heard throughout the afternoon and a helicopter seen circling overhead. Coastguards have also been drafted into help.
Photos: Frank Gzonka
Holidaymaker Frank Gzonka from Germany, who is staying at the Three Tuns at nearby St Keverne, had been walking in Coverack with his daughter when they became unable to escape the village.
He told the Packet how he had been at the cafe Chloe's when the rain became worse and worse.
Unable to leave by foot due to the deep water and with the village inaccessible to vehicles, they were forced to take shelter initially in the entrance to the cafe and later in St Peter's Hall.
He said: "Helicopters came to rescue a few people from their houses. One old lady had to be rescued out the window.
"It was catastrophic."
Photo: Mullion Fire Station/Twitter
They were eventually ushered through the water by firefighters and able to get a lift back to St Keverne.
"They told us weather in Cornwall was surprising but we didn't expect that," he added.
The village has been declared a major incident, with a task force set up at County Hall this evening.
One person wrote on social media how part of the road looked to have fallen away in Coverack, adding: "Tried to get down to help in the village but no way through."
Torrents of water could also be seen pouring over the sea wall, which appeared to have come away in places, with the centre of the village looking like something from a disaster movie.
Cornwall Fire and Rescue has issued a warning saying: "Major flooding in Coverack area. Please avoid this area and do not attempt to drive through any flood water."
Nearby Rosenithon turned into a river of brown water, turning driveways into lakes and washing away garden toys, while one person wrote on Facebook: "Water really deep between [the] end of Porthkerris lane and Porthallow road. Cars won't make it though, it was up to the Transit bonnet."
Photos: Phillipa Richards
Others were forced to appeal on social media for sand bags, with someone saying their windscreen wipers broke under the force of the rain and water was flying over the top of their van as they drove through the waterlogged roads.
Watch a video of the flooding online at thepacket.co.uk.
Huge hail stones were also reported, with the weather described as "crazy."
Photo: Wayne Pengilly
The Met Office had issued a weather warning for a large amount of water falling in a short space of time, but no one had expected it to be so localised and have such an impact.
While that part of the Lizard Peninsula suffered under the brunt of the downfall, just a few miles away in Mullion blue skies and sunshine were reported.
Photos: Kathy White
- Do you have any photos or videos of the flooding in that area? Email editorial@packetseries.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel