Challenges of Natural Hazards: UK Weather Hazard Case Study

Question 1

What were the CAUSES of the SOMERSET LEVEL FLOODS IN 2014?

Answer 1

Wettest January since 1910due to succession of low pressure weather systems-100mm above avg.
High tides and storm surges swept up rivers from Bristol Channel meaning rivers couldn’t hold as much water
Rivers hadn’t been dredged for at least 20 years so they were clogged with sediment, not holding as much water

Question 2

What were the SOCIAL EFFECTS of the SOMERSET LEVEL FLOODS?

Answer 2

Over 600 houses flooded
16 farms evacuated
Villages like Moorland cut off
Residents in temporary accommodation for months

Question 3

What were the ECONOMIC EFFECTS of the SOMERSET LEVEL FLOODS?

Answer 3

£10,000,000 in damages
14,000 hectares in farmland underwater
Transport links cut off
1,000 livestock lost

Question 4

What were the ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS of the SOMERSET LEVEL FLOODS?

Answer 4

Floodwater heavily contaminated by sewage
Stagnant water polluted rivers and had to be reoxygenated

Question 5

What were the IMMEDIATE RESPONSES of the SOMERSET LEVEL FLOODS?

Answer 5

S&R teams
Boats to evacuate people and get children to local schools

Question 6

What were the LONG TERM RESPONSES of the SOMERSET LEVEL FLOODS?

Answer 6

River Tone and River Parrett were dredged in March 2014
Road levels raised to keep free of water and more flood defences for vulnerable communities
Tidal barrage a Bridgewater to stop high tide waters