A massive clean-up operation is under way in north Cornwall after devastating flash floods hit the tourist spot of Boscastle.
A number of buildings were reported to have been destroyed and more than 50 cars swept away after a wall of water three feet high struck the village.
A dozen people stranded on rooftops and in cars were airlifted to safety by six army and one coastguard helicopter.
A spokesman for RAF Kinloss, which is co-ordinating the military rescue effort, said: "This is the biggest combined incident we have had in many, many years. It is very seldom that we have more than two helicopters at one scene. To get seven is remarkable."
The emergency began after two inches of rain fell in the north Cornwall area this afternoon. An estimated three feet of water poured through the streets of Boscastle, which lies in a valley leading to the sea.
Boscastle is at the end of two valleys formed by the rivers Valency and Jordan. A third river, Paradise, also flows through the village.