Somerset Levels Flood

Question 1

Causes

Answer 1

• 2014
• 350 mm of rain between jan-feb
• storm surges in Bristol Chanel distrusted flow
• river Parrett hadn’t been dredged for 20 years

Question 2

Social impacts

Answer 2

• 600 homes flooded

- villages like Moorland cut off

Question 3

Economic impacts

Answer 3

• £10 million
• 14000 ha of farm land damaged
• 1000 livestock evacuated

Question 4

Environmental impacts

Answer 4

• pollutants from fertilisers and sewage entered the river Parrett
• stagnant water had to be re-oxygenated before being pumped away of Bridgwater

Question 5

Immediate responses

Answer 5

• boats used to evacuate villages like moorland

- local community groups in Bridgwater raised money

Question 6

Long-term responses

Answer 6

• 8km of river Parrett was dredged costing £20 million

- tidal barrage built by 2024 at Bridgwater