Case Study: 1953 Storm Surge

Question 1

What happened?

Answer 1

Storm Surge moved down The North Sea towards low lying East Anglia and the Dutch Lowlands

Deep depression area moved from the Shetland Area towards the Netherlands

Low pressure air = sea levels rose

Strong winds drawn into centre = waves over 6m created

Occurred during Spring high tide

Southern North Sea tides reached 2-3m above normal level

Widespread flooding in East Anglia, the Thames Estuary and the Netherlands

Question 2

What were the casualties?

Answer 2

Over 260 died in England

Over 1800 died in the Netherlands

Question 3

What were some causes?

Answer 3

Large parts of marshland drained in East Anglia

Sea defences inadequate

Question 4

What was done after the flood?

Answer 4

£20 million spent reinforcing sea and river defences

Thames Barrier built – operational in 1982

Thames Barrier not compromised since – after 2030 may not be able to cope

Protecting London and the SE in the next century would cost £4 billion