Flood!

1928: On this day, a huge volume of water and broken ice swept into Peterborough from the upper reaches of the River Nene, swirling under the Town Bridge. The water depth gauge indicated that the river was 14ft 8in (4.5m) deep; nearly 6in (15cm) higher than the previous day and way above the norm. With the rush of water, the occupants of the cottages in the low-lying area near Bridge Street took refuge in their upper rooms. Notwithstanding the risks involved - no health and safety rules then - sightseers stood on the Town Bridge to view an immense expanse of water stretching across acres of meadowland, broken only by treetops and hedges showing above the flood. (Peterborough & Huntingdon Standard)

Taken from The Peterborough Book of Days by Brian Jones, The History Press, 2014.