boscastle Flashcards
where is it
small coastal village in cornwall - river running through it
why did flooding occur
A heavy rainfall of over 200mm (around 8 inches) fell in just a few hours, overwhelming the local drainage systems.
impact of flooding
Damage: Significant damage to properties, infrastructure, and vehicles. The floodwaters destroyed buildings, roads, and bridges.
cause of flooding
Cause: The flash flooding was caused by the combination of steep slopes, impermeable surfaces, and the small drainage capacity of the River Valency.
Physical Causes:
Physical Causes:
Heavy rainfall: A concentrated period of intense rainfall.
Steep land: The steep slopes of the valley allowed the rainwater to flow quickly into the river.
Soil saturation: The ground was already saturated due to previous rain, so it couldn’t absorb more water.
Human Causes:
Human Causes:
Urbanization: Boscastle’s development and infrastructure (such as buildings, roads, and bridges) were poorly adapted to handle such extreme weather events.
Channelization of the river: The river had been altered in places to accommodate development, which sometimes worsened the flooding.
Environmental Impact:
Erosion of riverbanks, loss of habitats.
Damage to the natural landscape, including debris and silt deposits
social impact
Many people were displaced temporarily from their homes.
The emotional impact on residents and visitors was considerable, as Boscastle is a popular tourist destination.
economic impact
Cost of repairs to properties, infrastructure, and tourism (which is significant to Boscastle).
Flood Defences put in place
Widening and deepening of the river channel to allow more water to flow through without overflowing.
New flood gates to control the flow of water into the town.
Raising bridges to allow floodwaters to pass under more easily.
Flood warning systems to give residents and visitors more time to evacuate if needed.
Sustainability of Responses:
The aim is to balance the preservation of the village’s historical charm with modern flood management needs.
Positive Outcomes:
The changes have successfully reduced the risk of flooding in future events.
There has been improved coordination between local authorities and residents in flood preparation.
Challenges:
Despite improvements, Boscastle is still vulnerable to future flooding, especially with climate change increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events.
