Wave of Hyperbole Threatens England

"LONDON — Much of central England is preparing to be swept under a destructive tide of water Tuesday, as the worst floods in centuries continue to grow in intensity and the British government struggles with a domestic emergency of vast proportions."

The water may have hit some record heights, if it's true that Tewkesbury Abbey hasn't been this depth since 1760. The Gray Monk would know - he's blogging the floods from the centre. But I'm not sure the destructive tide of water compares with the 500 deaths in 1953.