Cockermouth UK Flooding 2009 - Local Hazardous Setting

Question 1

Where did the flooding occur?

Answer 1

Flooding occurred on the town Cockermouth and it’s in Cumbria.

Question 2

When did the flooding take place and what caused it?

Answer 2

It took place place in November 2009 and it was caused by unprecedented rainfall which caused rivers and streams to overfill and spill into hundreds of homes and businesses

Question 3

What was the physical nature of the hazard?

Answer 3

• Warm air from the mid-Atlantic caused relief rainfall over the Cumbrian mountain.
• Falling rain poured into the river Derwent and river Cocker
• Cockermouth is located at the rivers confluence and as a result suffered significant flooding

Question 4

What was the social character of the area?

Answer 4

Cockermouth is a small bustling market town on the north west edge of the lake.
It is one only 51 towns in Great Britain designated as a ‘gem town’ and is therefore recommended for preservation by the state as part of our national heritage

Question 5

What was the communities response to the hazard?

Answer 5

• 3rd time area had flooded ever so a community group was set up after the floods in 2005
• Group decided to take action and work alongside the environment agency to develop a £4.4 million flood barrier
• Clothes banks, support clinics and action groups were set up to help people with physical and emotional effects from the floods
• The flood action group raised an estimated £420,000 towards cost through a mixture of appeals and persuading local authority to increase council tax