CASE STUDY 3.9 Storm Desmond

Question 1

When did Storm Desmond happen?

Answer 1

5 + 6th December 2015

Question 2

What were the environmental effects of Storm Desmond?

Answer 2

-Over 100 bridges damaged
-Slopes collapsed damaging A591 road
-River Eden broke its banks after reaching
- Widespread landslides and riverbank erosion led to the death of many cattle.

Question 3

What were the economic effects of Storm Desmond?

Answer 3

-disruption to rail and road network, people couldn’t work
-Hundreds of businesses remained shut for over a year
-Recovery cost £500 million and insurance bill reached £1.3 billion

Question 4

What were the social effects of Storm Desmond?

Answer 4

-700+ families unable to return to homes for 2 years
-People experienced stress and reduced mental-wellbeing
-Communities strengthened by community cohesion

Question 5

Wind speeds and precipitation for Storm Desmond?

Answer 5

-wind speeds reached 220 km/hr
-Over a months worth of precipitation in 2 days (341 mm)

Question 6

What was another problem that led to flooding in Cumbria?

Answer 6

-Storm Desmond part of unusually warm, wet and stormy weather.
-Soil was already wet and new rainfall could not soak in
- Warm conditions in North Atlantic Ocean fed moisture laden air in direction of UK
-most extreme storm in 600 years