WATER: UK flood events

Question 1

what are the socio-economic impacts of the UK 2016 flood events?

Answer 1

economic activity
- the damages cost £1.3 billion for the most recent series of floods in the UK December 2015

infrastructure

• flooded electricity substations meant that many people endured power shortages for up to three days
• in Cumbria, the destruction of a key bridge connecting different parts of the town made communication and transport very difficult

settlement

Question 2

what are the environmental impacts of the UK 2016 flood events?

Answer 2

ecosystems
- during the 2016 floods, large areas of the UK received more than twice the average amount of rainfall for that time of year

other
- Cumbria was one of the worst hit places

Question 3

what are the causes of the severity of the impacts of the UK 2016 floods?

Answer 3

budget cuts in the amount of money being spent on flood defences

an EU Directive that puts environmental conservation ahead of the regular dredging of rivers

poor land management, resulting in blocked ditches

global warming and climate change