Beast From The East 2018

Question 1

Background stats

Answer 1

• Beast from the east meets storm Emma
• polar vortex low pressure from Siberia
• Temperatures dropped to -10°C
• Windchill of -22°C
• Wind speed exceeding 70 mph
• 10 killed across the country
• hundreds trapped on road and motorways
• Gas supplies running low

Question 2

primary effects

Answer 2

• 15 to 20 cm of snow fell over the course of three days
• Snow drifts in excess of 7 m in rural locations
• Crops damaged
• Waves battle coastline across the country

Question 3

secondary effects

Answer 3

• UK issues with a gas deficit warning
• NHS cancelled non-urgent operations and clinics
• train stranded on tracks overnight in Dorset
• thousands of homes left without power
• Schools across the country close for up to 3 days
• Flights cancelled

Question 4

Long-term responses

Answer 4

• Generally very little done in long-term as the event is rare and possible preparations limited
• The Met office with the effectiveness of their warnings finding them to be good

Question 5

short term responses

Answer 5

• Armed Forces deployed to rescue drives and drive NHS workers to work
• Greggs delivery driver stranded drivers
• Community centres open for homeless people to shelter from the conditions
• Met Office issues Red weather warning to stop people from travelling
• Snow ploughs, gritters and tractors go out and force the clear snowing roads