I strongly suspect it depends how you are defining worst. Lynmouth was a tragedy, there's no doubt about that, but it affected one small town on one night.
As for 1947, the current indication are that in Tewkesbury at least, the water is reaching higher levels now than it did then. I haven't heard any firm evidence about Gloucester, but all indications are that the water is at least coming close to 1947 levels.
I suspect, though, that the paper was taking into consideration the 300 thousand plus people whose water has been cut off and the anywhere from 250 to 600 thousand (they don't seem to be able to make up their minds) whose power supplies are also threatened. That's what's making this a major national news story, I think. If it was just Tewkesbury, or even Gloucester, they flood more winters than not, but this has made it clear to people just how fragile our infrastructure can be.
no subject
As for 1947, the current indication are that in Tewkesbury at least, the water is reaching higher levels now than it did then. I haven't heard any firm evidence about Gloucester, but all indications are that the water is at least coming close to 1947 levels.
I suspect, though, that the paper was taking into consideration the 300 thousand plus people whose water has been cut off and the anywhere from 250 to 600 thousand (they don't seem to be able to make up their minds) whose power supplies are also threatened. That's what's making this a major national news story, I think. If it was just Tewkesbury, or even Gloucester, they flood more winters than not, but this has made it clear to people just how fragile our infrastructure can be.