Case study of flooding in a rich part of the world

Question 1

Flood, number of deaths/homeless

Answer 1

Cockermouth, Cumbria, 2009
1 death
C.470 homeless

Question 2

Physical causes

Answer 2

• Record breaking rainfall due to unusually high temperatures in south tropics = more moist air over Atlantic
• antecedent rain meant that the soil was saturated and couldn’t hold more water = overland flow

Question 3

Human causes

Answer 3

• Urbanisation
• poor sewage systems
• lack of woodland
• Cockermouth located at confluence

Question 4

Environmental impacts

Answer 4

• 110 farms damaged, loss of live stock
• freshwater pearl mussel beds severely damaged
• trees uprooted, river shape changed

Question 5

Economic impacts

Answer 5

• damage cost £276.5 million

- tourism sector suffered and 41% had cancellations

Question 6

Social impacts

Answer 6

• 1,800 residential properties flooded
• 7,000 residents unable to access their local GP surgery due to transport issues
• Ambulances had problems navigating due to the destruction of bridges
• 39 schools in the region closed temporarily

Question 7

Immediate responses

Answer 7

• Ambulance Service, Cumbria Police, Mountain Rescue, Lifeboat Institution, RAF all helped in rescues
• Fire crews pumped water out of buildings

Question 8

Long term responses

Answer 8

• UK flood barriers spent £4.4 million on the SCFB (flood barrier)
• 17 out of 20 bridges repaired in one year
• more homes built with flood warning line
• Flood Recovery Fund set up and raised £2.9 million