3C: UK weather hazards

Question 1

What are the main extreme weather events that affect the UK?

Answer 1

Strong mid-latitude depressions

Tornadoes

Summer heat waves/winter cold snaps

Flooding

Drought

Question 2

Characteristics of the Great storm;

Answer 2

15th to 16th October, 1987

Reached wind speeds over 120 mph

Gusts over 80 mph (Force 12 on Beaufort Scale) recorded continually for 3 to 4 hours

Mostly affected southern England, Channel Islands, and Brittany/Normandy

Question 3

Impacts of the great storm

Answer 3

Felled about 15 million trees across southern England

Several hundred of thousand people experienced power cuts

22 fatalities (would have been higher but for highest wind speed occurring in the night and early morning)

Damage cost the UK insurance industry £2 billion (£5 in today’s money)

Question 4

Main types of flooding;

Answer 4

Coastal flooding

Flash flooding

Slow-onset river flooding

Surface water flooding

Question 5

Responding to risk of extreme weather in the UK

Answer 5

Top down responses include:
Central government funded defences (e.g. Thames Barrier)
UK Met Office predictions and warnings
Environment Agency flood risk maps

Bottom up responses (increasing human resilience) include:
Homeowners ‘flood proofing’ homes
Communication via social media
Having emergency supplies, knowing what to do in an event
Local volunteering (community level)