Somerset Levels, 2014 Flooding Event in MEDC

Question 1

What is the Somerset Levels known for?

Answer 1

It is a low-lying wetland district in South and Central England.

Question 2

What physical factors contributed to the flooding in the Somerset Levels?

Answer 2

Intense rainfall, high tide levels, and reduced water carrying capacity of local rivers.

Question 3

What was the impact of the high tidal range on the flooding event?

Answer 3

It made drainage of the low-lying levels difficult.

Question 4

What percentage of the Somerset Levels is under grass for grazing?

Answer 4

70%.

Question 5

What commercial activities take place in the Somerset Levels?

Answer 5

Willow is grown commercially and peat is extracted from the area.

Question 6

What infrastructure has been implemented to manage water in the Somerset Levels?

Answer 6

Artificial river courses and pumping stations.

Question 7

True or False: The flooding in the Somerset Levels can be directly linked to global warming.

Answer 7

False.

Question 8

What did researchers at the University of Oxford suggest about the likelihood of flooding due to atmospheric changes?

Answer 8

The flooding was made 25% more likely.

Question 9

What was the primary weather condition leading to the flooding in December and January?

Answer 9

Unusually wet weather.

Question 10

Fill in the blank: The flooding was caused by a succession of _______ that battered the UK.

Answer 10

storms.

Question 11

What do some residents believe was the primary cause of the extended flood period?

Answer 11

Poor management decisions and neglect of the built drainage system.

Question 12

What is the population of the Somerset Levels?

Answer 12

Around 60,000 people.

Question 13

How has urbanization affected the flood risk in the Somerset Levels?

Answer 13

It is not regarded as a significant factor due to limited settlement.

Question 14

What has increased in the Somerset Levels that would help reduce flood risk?

Answer 14

Planted woodland cover.

Question 15

Who is responsible for land drainage management in the Somerset Levels?

Answer 15

The Environment Agency (EA).

Question 16

What management change occurred regarding the Somerset river channels?

Answer 16

Management responsibility moved from the Rivers Agency to the Environment Agency

This shift led to a higher priority being placed on environmental impacts over human impacts.

Question 17

What significant action did the Environment Agency stop in 1995?

Answer 17

Routine drainage of the Somerset river channels

This decision contributed to the flooding issues experienced in 2013-2014.

Question 18

What was the public perception regarding the Environment Agency’s actions during the 2013-2014 floods?

Answer 18

Some locals accused the EA of deliberately allowing villages to flood to protect larger settlements downstream

The EA denied these accusations, attributing flooding to severe winter weather.

Question 19

How did the flooding of winter 2013-2014 compare to previous floods in Somerset?

Answer 19

It produced the worst flooding in living memory

Flooding is not unusual in the Somerset Levels, but this event was particularly severe.

Question 20

How many individual homes were flooded during the 2013-2014 Somerset floods?

Answer 20

Around 600 individual homes

Approximately 175 of these homes were under flood water for several weeks.

Question 21

Which villages were evacuated during the flooding?

Answer 21

Moorland and Fordgate

These villages experienced significant inundation, with houses under 1-2 meters of water.

Question 22

What challenges did families in Moorland face after the flooding?

Answer 22

Most families lived temporarily in rented housing, including caravans, for at least six months

Over 30 families were still waiting to return home by January 2015.

Question 23

What economic impacts did the flooding have on local businesses?

Answer 23

Local businesses, including farms and a wooden flooring factory, were flooded

Retail, manufacturing, and tourism industries suffered significant losses.

Question 24

What was the total estimated cost of flood damage to farming in Somerset?

Answer 24

Around £19 million

This figure was lower than potential summer flood costs due to the condition of the land.

Question 25

What was the total damage bill for floods across England in the first six months of 2014?

Answer 25

Over £1 billion ## Footnote This includes various regions, not just Somerset.

Question 26

How much additional taxpayer income did local councils in Somerset need for cleanup?

Answer 26

£2 million ## Footnote This was specifically for the cleanup after the 2013-2014 floods.

Question 27

What is the proposed cost of the new flood protection scheme over the next 10 years?

Answer 27

£200 million ## Footnote This scheme aims to mitigate future flooding risks.

Question 28

What was the estimated loss for the South West's tourist industry due to negative publicity from the floods?

Answer 28

£200 million ## Footnote This loss was associated with reduced tourism in the summer of 2014.

Question 29

What is the total area of the Somerset Levels recognized as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)?

Answer 29

7,200 hectares ## Footnote This area is designated for its ecological and biological importance.

Question 30

What is the area designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) in the Somerset Levels?

Answer 30

Over 6,000 hectares ## Footnote This designation is for areas of international significance for wildlife.

Question 31

What was concluded about the recovery of older established grasslands after the floods?

Answer 31

They appeared to have recovered quickly.

Question 32

What happened to the more recently planted grasslands as a result of the floods?

Answer 32

They were destroyed or badly damaged.

Question 33

How did the numbers of waterfowl and wading birds change after the floods?

Answer 33

They remained normal, but there were more of some species, particularly ducks.

Question 34

Which bird species saw a reduction in numbers after the floods?

Answer 34

Golden plover and teal.

Question 35

What impact did the floods have on soil productivity?

Answer 35

There was little significant impact, but some farms would only restore productivity after two years.

Question 36

How did the earthworm population respond to the flooding?

Answer 36

It appeared to recover quickly.

Question 37

What was a key overview conclusion regarding older established land uses and flooding?

Answer 37

They were undamaged by flooding as they are adapted to it.

Question 38

What was noted about the recovery of recently improved farmland after the floods?

Answer 38

Planted grass species and rye did not recover well.

Question 39

Based on the flooding outcomes, what conclusion was made about future improvements to Somerset Level farmland?

Answer 39

They should not be encouraged in future.