If you see many more boats in the inner harbour at Padstow, the chances are a storm is imminent and so it was yesterday. Overnight a spring tide combined with high river levels and a south westerly gale made for a potential flood risk. Before the tidal flood gates were built this would be a regular occurrence and the businesses around the quay had slots into which flood boards were placed and then puttied in. Nowadays the risk has been much reduced and so it was last night when the water was contained within the harbour walls. Not so lucky were several other Cornish seaside villages such at Looe, Fowey and Perranporth all of whom experienced flooding to property.