Boscastle Case Study

Question 1

What happened in Boscastle?

Answer 1

A flash flood

Question 2

When did a flash flood occur in Boscastle?

Answer 2

August 16th 2004

Question 3

Where is Boscastle located?

Answer 3

North Cornwall

South West UK

Question 4

What are reasons for the flash flood?

Answer 4

Steep valley sides
Lack of vegetation
Heavy rainfall
Impermeable rocks
Saturated ground

Question 5

How many died in Boscastle?

Answer 5

0

Question 6

What were social impacts?

Answer 6

84 cars destroyed

58 houses flooded

Question 7

What are economic impacts?

Answer 7

£2 billion infrastructure damage
25 businesses destroyed
Less tourism

Question 8

What are environmental impacts?

Answer 8

4 bridges destoryed

Trees uprooted

Question 9

What were reponses to Boscastle?

Answer 9

7 RAF helicopters rescued 120
Sandbags used
Diggers cleared debris
£10 million spent on improving flood defenses

Question 10

What humans factors caused the flash flood?

Answer 10

Sewer systems overwhelmed

Streets increased surface runoff

Question 11

`What physical factors caused the flash flood?

Answer 11

Torrential rain
Ground saturated
Steep valley