Flooding in the UK

Question 1

Storm Boris 2024

Answer 1

Location: UK and Ireland
Date: February 2024.

Causes:
Heavy rain: Over 100 mm in 24 hours; ground already saturated from previous storms.
River flooding: Rivers Severn, Wye, and Usk overflowed.
Human factors: Urbanisation, blocked drains, and building on floodplains.

Impacts:
500+ homes flooded, evacuations in Shrewsbury and Monmouth.
£150–200 million in damages.
Transport disruption and loss of farmland in Somerset Levels.
Water pollution from sewage and chemicals.

Responses:
Flood warnings issued by Environment Agency.
Emergency evacuations and temporary flood barriers.
Calls for long-term investment in defences and natural flood management.

Evaluation:
Forecasting helped reduce risk to life.
But defences overwhelmed, showing need for better catchment-based planning and resilient infrastructure.

Question 2

Keswick and Storm Desmond

Answer 2

Location: Keswick, Lake District, Cumbria.
Rivers: Greta and Derwent.

Causes:
Keswick 2009: 130 mm of rain in 24 hours, saturated ground, and river Greta overflowing.

Storm Desmond 2015: 340 mm of rain in 24 hours, record high river levels, surface runoff, and already saturated ground.

Impacts:
Keswick 2009:
700 homes flooded.
£30 million damage.
Tourism affected.

Storm Desmond 2015:
5,200 homes flooded.
£500 million in damage.
Severe transport disruption and tourism impact.

Responses:
Keswick 2009:
Emergency evacuations, temporary flood barriers, and improved flood defences.
Investment in better flood warning and drainage systems.

Storm Desmond 2015:
Flood warnings issued, emergency services and military involvement.
£500 million recovery fund, new flood defences built.

Evaluation:
Keswick 2009: Short-term recovery effective, but localised vulnerability remained.

Storm Desmond 2015: Flood defences overwhelmed, but long-term defences and climate adaptation now a focus.