Three people were unaccounted for after what was described as a wall of water devastated the village of Boscastle following torrential rain, Superintendent Jon Wotton from Devon and Cornwall Police said.

However he stressed that such was the confusion, those missing might simply have become separated from relatives.

"I want to give an assurance we are doing all we can to substantiate those reports, because there is still an element of confusion with families being split," he said.

Hundreds of people were feared stranded Monday night in the floodwaters, and seven Royal Air Force helicopters had already rescued dozens of people, some sheltering at the tops of trees.

A small river in the centre of Boscastle had burst it banks, sweeping dozens of cars towards the sea, while some homes had collapsed, an AFP photographer at the scene said.

According to Superintendent Wotton, around six buildings had collapsed due to the force of the water, and an estimated 50 cars had been swept away in the flood.

Thus far, no one is known to have been injured in the flooding, which has hit one of Cornwall's most popular regions for visitors at the peak of its summer tourist season.

TERRA.WIRE