Somerset Levels 2014

Question 1

Why Somerset Levels?

Answer 1

High tides + storm surged, Rivers not dredged for 20 years, wettest Jan and Feb where 350mm fell

Question 2

Social of Somerset Levels

Answer 2

Moorland + Muchelny cut off, lost power, 600 homes flooded, 16 farms evacuated

Question 3

Economic Somerset levels

Answer 3

£10 million, 14000 ha farmland underwater, 1000 livestock, roads cut, Bristol to Taunton railway was cut at Bridgwater

Question 4

Environmental Somerset Levels

Answer 4

Contaminated Floodwater with chemicals and sewage, debris had to be cleared, stagnant water had to be reoxygenated

Question 5

Immediate response to Levels

Answer 5

Villagers helped each other + used boats to get to school

Question 6

Long-term responses levels

Answer 6

£20 million flood action plan, 8km of Tone and Parratt dredged, roads raised, flood defences for at risk communities, tidal barrage at Bridgwater