Newtown - disastrous floods of 1960

In 1960, Newtown found itself under attack by the elements as the River Severn bursts its banks and flooded the town, submerging houses, vehicles and trees.

In 1960, on the first weekend of December, the River Severn burst its banks, and water came rushing through the centre of Newtown. At the time, the council could not afford flood defences, which resulted in further flooding on the second weekend of December in 1964, when the river again burst its banks. However under the 1965 New Towns Act, Newtown was designated a new town and government funds were then available for a major flood prevention scheme.