1928: The Year the Thames Flooded (Channel 5 Sunday 26 November 2023)

1928: The Year the Thames Flooded airs Sunday 26 November 2023 on Channel 5.

What is this episode about

In this documentary, we travel through time to learn about a terrible but mostly unknown tragedy that happened in London many years ago. This riveting programme tells the story of the tragic Thames Flood of 1928 against the background of the interwar era, when London was a city split down the middle by class and technology.

As a rare and beautiful blanket of snow covers England in winter of 1927, we see the rich celebrating while the poor along the riverside in central London endure a Dickensian struggle. There is a clear contrast between the city’s modernization—with its new highways and suburbs—and its gloomy, antiquated past.

This picture-perfect setting, however, is soon overshadowed by the inescapable power of nature as the New Year draws near. An imminent catastrophe was set in motion by the melting snowdrifts and relentless rainstorms. At the same time, a storm system in the North Sea is getting stronger and is about to merge with the rising Thames River.

Londoners are caught unawares on the night of January 6th, 1928, due to the lack of flood barriers and the inability to predict the imminent disaster. The Thames River bursts its banks with unprecedented violence, releasing a deluge of devastation that engulfs the city. Even wealthy areas like Fulham and famous landmarks like the Tate Gallery are engulfed by the relentless floodwaters, leaving the basements of tenement flats as watery graves for the most vulnerable inhabitants.

The human stories that surfaced as a result of this terrible tragedy are explored in depth. The tragic loss of four daughters in a single Westminster room experienced by the Harding family is a powerful illustration of the profound effect on people’s lives. We also reach out to the next generation of people who, nearly a century after the disaster, are still dealing with the psychological fallout.

Through the shared history of a city and the secrets, sorrows, and resilience of its residents, this programme explores the impact of a relentless natural disaster on a community. Tragedies, triumphs, and London’s unwavering spirit are all interwoven throughout this story.

When can we see the episode

1928: The Year the Thames Flooded airs Sunday 26 November 2023 at 9:00pm on Channel 5

Featured Image Credit: Channel 5