Somerset floods

Question 1

What case study is used for flooding

Answer 1

Somerset floods

Question 2

Somerset floods information

Answer 2

2014, coastal plain and wet area, experienced floods greater than any other

Question 3

Physical causes of Somerset floods

Answer 3

prolonged Atlantic storms with persistent rainfall and wind was primary cause, rivers could not cope with the rain, high tided in Bristol Channel and its narrowing also created tidal surges which blocked floodwarer trying to escape

Question 4

Human causes of Somerset floods

Answer 4

ledd dredging of river channels = channels had risen due to sediment, reduced capacity of rivers to transport water, farming practises = from grassland to grow maise so it able to retain less water so it ran off into rivers

Question 5

Impacts of Somerset floods

Answer 5

600 homes and 16 farms were evacuated = temporary accommodation, roads were cut off, power supplies were cut off, £10 million damages = agricultural land was flooded and livestock were evacuated, tourism industry cost the county £200 million, contamination of floodwaters by sewage and oil, debris needed clearing, stagnant water needed to be re-oxygenated before returning to rivers, soil was damaged after being underwater

Question 6

Immediate responses of Somerset floods

Answer 6

sandbags were used after the warning, rescue boats were used to help stranded people, food was distributed, 65 pumps used to drain water, HIC = quick and organised response to flood

Question 7

Long term responses of Somerset floods

Answer 7

focused on management techniques to reduce risk, dredging was reintroduced, permanent pumping station