17 photos of flooding in Southampton and Hampshire over the last 100 years

As countless people across Hampshire and the UK deal with the flooding that is causing so many problems, it is worth remembering that it is an issue that has long blighted countless communities.

The places worst affected today may not be the places scooping water out of their homes tomorrow - and as these photos show, there are few places in Hampshire that have not had to deal with flooding over the last 100 years or so.

1. Western Esplanade, Southampton, 1912

Until the 1930s, Western Esplanade was Southampton's seafront. The photo above was taken on Boxing Day 1912. The building on the left is the site of today's coach station.

2. Cooper's Arms, Millbank Street, Northam, Southampton, 1912

These two photos are both from Boxing Day 1912. The Northam and Chapel areas of Southampton were prone to severe flooding at the time, being so close to the River Itchen. Although most of the area was cleared away as part of the slum clearances, the Cooper's Arms is still there today. It recently was renamed to The Joshua Tree.

3. Leigh Road, Eastleigh, 1947

Two shots of Leigh Road in Eastleigh during the floods of 1947, including one of a Southern Daily Echo van trying its best to make sure the people of the town get their news.

4. Totton, 1960

This shows householder being rescued from their homes. This was taken at the western end of Rumbridge Street, adjacent to the carpark near Spicers Hill Roundabout, according to one of our readers below.

5. Fleming Arms, Swaythling, 1960

In this photo from 1960, Monks Brook has swollen up and water spills forth from the drains as cars try and navigate their way through.

6. Archers Road, 1974

It could be argued that these are more puddles than flooding, but at least there is a police officer getting his hands dirty trying to alleviate the problem at the rear of the Archers Road Stand at The Dell.

7. Weston Shore, 1976

In a year best known for its hot, dry summer, 1976 also gave a bit of a soaking. Here Southampton water breaches the beach and floods the road - just as it did a few weeks ago in the exact same spot.

7.

It doesn't matter which year it is, but kids will always been drawn to water, as these photos from Hedge End in 1981 show.

8. Lymington, 1983

There are a variety of ways to get around flood-stricken towns, rowing a bench may not be the best of them, however.

9. Lymington, 1989

Six years later, and Lymington is hit again by flooding.

10. Millbrook Road, Southampton, 1993

Like Western Esplanade, Millbrook Road used to stretch along the old shoreline, until the construction of the Western Docks. The reclaimation didn't mean a stop to the flooding however as this 1993 photo shows. In fact, the exact same stretch of road flooded just last year.