From the Whitstable Times after the flood.
At Whitstable there was some ominous in the swirl and impetus of the water that was running, which, to the experienced eye betokened mischief, but nothing so calamitous as what happened was ever anticipated.
In the ordinary course, the tide would have been at its height on Monday at 3.54, but long before that time it had attained a maximum altitude, and without any warning whatever it broke over the sea wall from Tankerton Beach to that part of Whitstable which is known as the Salts, and made its way irrespective of all the obstacles which lay in its path at a furious pace towards the town.
The water swept into the houses on its way to find its level, filled up all the basements, and then onward it went on its mad career towards the High Street. The Salts, with no buildings upon them, were the first to be filled, but the water received a check on coming to the West Cliff Road, which, as our readers are aware, is on very much higher ground. It however, rose to within a few inches of the top of the road, and the inhabitants of the houses feared that, as this was some time before the tide was supposed to be at its height, it might possibly come into their houses, but happily their worst fears were not realised.
It was not long before in the High Street there were seven or eight feet of water, and business was rendered entirely at a standstill. The water came with a tremendous rush from the Island Wall, over Middle Wall into the street, whilst a perfect torrent flowed by the Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company’s Stores, down to
Horsebridge Road. It being a matter of impossibility for pedestrians to move about the streets: boats were promptly brought into requisition.
At the harbour, the greatest consternation prevailed, as the place was filled with vessels of all descriptions. The water flowed over the sides of the quay, and the weight pressing against the sides was tremendous – so much so that on rebound the soil opened in some places nearly a foot square.
At Tankerton Beach the water swept through the tea booths which run parallel with the shore, carrying one with it, over the waste ground at the back of the booths, and across to the South Eastern Railway station.
The sea made inroads into the cliffs and also broke down the sea wall and submerged the
marshes between Whitstable and Seasalter.
