Short Term
The Boscastle Flood was in a way lucky, as there were no major casualties, only a broken thumb! (Unlike the Lynmouth Flood, 52 years earlier on the same day that had killed 35 people). However, a lot of homes and material things had been ruined. 30 vehicles had been washed into the harbour, a lot of trees were uprooted, a bridge collapsed and many houses (and buildings, including the Museum of Witchcraft) had been destroyed. The homeless had to stay in the local leisure centre because they had nowhere else to go! Jobs were lost meaning that people not even living in Boscastle were suffering. Also, roads were blocked so if people needed to get somewhere near Boscastle they could have major traffic problems. On top of this, many people had been exposed to the cold water; therefore many people became ill after this. As well as this, a sewage drain had burst leaving parts of Boscastle cut off due to the health and safety risks. In the short term many peoples lives had been ruined.
Long Term
In the long term, it wasn't quite as bad. The floodwater had damaged homes and possesions, leaving many without the necessary things to get on with life. Thousands of pounds had to be spent to repair everything, so it was an expensive clear up. Moreover, repairing isn't cheap and some people would have had to rebuild their houses from scratch, if it just wasn't safe to live in any more. However, the insurance companies would have benefited majorly from this because they would have risen their prices for the Boscastle area. People would still have had to pay them, so some people profited from others misery. Another major impact is the loss of tourism. This was one of Boscastle's main industeries, and ever since the flood tourists are more wary of staying here. Also, many tourist attractions (such as the witchcraft museum) were ruined, leaving not much else in the town.
