(GLOBAL HAZARDS) - Boscastle flood case study

Question 1

when did the Boscastle flood take place?

Answer 1

August 16th 2004

Question 2

what were the causes of the Boscastle flood?

Answer 2

• exceptional amounts of rainfall
• river couldn’t hold all of the water
• 1,422 million litres of water fell in 2 hours

Question 3

name some of the environmental effects of the Boscastle flood

Answer 3

• no deaths
• 6 people taken to hospital
• around 1,000 residents & visitors affected

Question 4

name some of the environmental effects of the Boscastle flood

Answer 4

• mass damage
• raw sewage contaminated flood water & led to public health concerns (300m of sewer pipes washed away)

Question 5

name some of the economic effects of the Boscastle flood

Answer 5

• 58 properties flooded & 4 demolished
• infrastructure damage could have cost up to £2 million
• needed to rebuild village

Question 6

name the emergency responses the the flood

Answer 6

• 7 helicopters sent out
• 120 rescued in 7 hours
• 29 out 31 fire brigade stations in Cornwall involved
• fire brigades stayed for 7 days to help with clean up

Question 7

name the long term responses to the flood

Answer 7

• flood defences built
• widening & deepening of rivers
• carpark moved to offer more space