Coastal Flooding In Developed Countries

Question 1

What were the wind gust speeds recorded in Scotland during the surge and tides event?

Answer 1

Over 200 km/hr

This indicates the severity of the weather conditions experienced.

Question 2

How many homes were flooded as a result of the surge and tides in the UK?

Answer 2

1400 homes

This flooding led to forced evacuations, particularly along the coast of Eastern England.

Question 3

In which location did cliff erosion result in properties collapsing into the sea?

Answer 3

Hemsby (Norfolk)

This highlights the destructive impact of coastal erosion during the event.

Question 4

What transportation services were affected by the surge and tides?

Answer 4

Bridges were shut and rail services in eastern counties were disrupted

This indicates the widespread impact on infrastructure.

Question 5

How many fatalities occurred due to the surge and tides event?

Answer 5

Two people

This underscores the human cost of the disaster.

Question 6

What measure was taken to protect London during the surge and tides?

Answer 6

The Thames Barrier was closed

This is an important flood defense measure for the city.

Question 7

What was the estimated cost of the damage caused by the surge and tides?

Answer 7

£100 million

Insurers calculated this amount reflecting the economic impact of the event.

Question 8

Fill in the blank: Hundreds of thousands of properties were protected by _______.

Answer 8

flood defences

This indicates the effectiveness of existing infrastructure in mitigating damage.

Question 9

What is the main geographical feature of the North Sea that contributes to coastal flooding?

Answer 9

The North Sea allows strong northernly winds to push storm surges towards coastal cities

Question 10

What weather phenomenon contributed to the extreme weather experienced in the UK from mid-December 2013 to early January 2014?

Answer 10

A powerful jet stream bringing low-pressure weather systems across the Atlantic

This led to a succession of major storms affecting the region.

Question 11

When did one of the most significant storms occur that affected the UK coast?

Answer 11

5-6 December 2013

This storm brought with it a significant storm surge.

Question 12

Which areas in the UK were particularly affected by the storm surge?

Answer 12

Norfolk and low-lying coastal areas including much of the Netherlands

Some of these areas are at or below sea level.

Question 13

What atmospheric condition contributed to the storm surge on 5-6 December 2013?

Answer 13

Intense low pressure (976 mb deepening to 968 mb)

This condition was similar to the one that caused the deadly 1953 storm surge.

Question 14

What role did high seasonal tides play in the storm surge?

Answer 14

They contributed to increasing the height of the storm surge

Higher tides can exacerbate the effects of storm surges.

Question 15

What effect did strong northerly winds have on the storm surge?

Answer 15

They pushed the storm and the surge further south, increasing their height

This contributed to more severe flooding in affected areas.

Question 16

True or False: The North Sea is deeper as it narrows towards the south.

Answer 16

False

The North Sea actually gets shallower as it narrows towards the south.

Question 17

Fill in the blank: The storm surge that occurred in December 2013 was significant because it affected cities like _______ and _______.

Answer 17

Amsterdam, London

These cities are vulnerable to storm surges due to their geographical location.

Question 18

What historical event is mentioned as a comparison to the storm surge of December 2013?

Answer 18

The 1953 storm surge

This earlier event resulted in the deaths of 307 people in the UK and 1800 in the Netherlands.

Question 19

What natural events contributed to the impacts in the Netherlands?

Answer 19

Strong winds and a storm surge

The storm surge was predicted to be up to 2 metres high.

Question 20

What was the height of the storm surge on the East Frisian coast?

Answer 20

3.74 metres above mean sea level

This height was recorded in Germany, near the Dutch border.

Question 21

How many people died during the recent storm surge in the Netherlands?

Answer 21

No one died

Question 22

What major infrastructure was constructed in the Netherlands in response to the 1953 storm surge?

Answer 22

Delta Works

Question 23

What are Delta Works designed to protect against?

Answer 23

Flooding by the North Sea

Question 24

What is the largest component of the Delta Works?

Answer 24

Eastern Scheldt storm-surge barrier

Question 25

How much did the Eastern Scheldt storm-surge barrier cost to build?

Answer 25

2.5 billion Euros

Question 26

What is the annual operating cost of the Eastern Scheldt storm-surge barrier?

Answer 26

17 million Euros

Question 27

In what year was the Eastern Scheldt storm-surge barrier opened?

Answer 27

1986

Question 28

When was the Eastern Scheldt storm-surge barrier closed against the storm surge?

Answer 28

5-6 December 2013

Question 29

What is the expected increase in annual damages due to coastal erosion in the UK?

Answer 29

Expected to increase by 3-9 times

This highlights the growing severity of coastal erosion impacts.

Question 30

What percentage of the coast in England and Wales experiences erosion at rates higher than 0.1 m/year?

Answer 30

28%

This indicates a significant portion of the coastline is under threat from erosion.

Question 31

How does the rate of coastal erosion in Scotland compare to England and Wales?

Answer 31

Less severe due to isostatic uplift and hard geology

Isostatic uplift refers to the rise of land masses that were depressed by the weight of ice sheets during the last glacial period.

Question 32

How many properties in England are currently at risk of damage from coastal flooding?

Answer 32

520,000 properties, including 370,000 homes

This statistic emphasizes the widespread risk to residential areas.

Question 33

What is the average annual damage cost from flooding and erosion in the UK?

Answer 33

Over £260 million

This figure reflects the economic impact of coastal risks.

Question 34

By the 2080s, how many properties may be at significant risk of flooding?

Answer 34

Up to 1.5 million properties, including 1.2 million homes

This projection underscores the potential escalation of risks due to climate change.

Question 35

What infrastructure is at risk of coastal flooding or erosion by 2100?

Answer 35

1,600 km of major roads, 650 km of railway line, 92 railway stations, and 55 historic landfill sites

This illustrates the extensive impact on transportation and waste management systems.

Question 36

What is the estimated cost to implement current policies to protect England’s coast?

Answer 36

£18-30 billion

This cost varies based on the rate of climate change and reflects the financial burden of coastal management.

Question 37

Why are Long-term Shoreline Management Plans not effective in solving coastal erosion problems?

Answer 37

They are not legally-binding and contain unfunded proposals

This lack of enforceability limits their effectiveness in addressing coastal risks.

Question 38

What could ambitious actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions achieve by 2100?

Answer 38

Reduce the risk for 400,000-500,000 people in England

This suggests that proactive climate measures can mitigate some risks.

Question 39

True or False: The risks of harmful coastal flooding and erosion can be completely eliminated.

Answer 39

False

While risks can be reduced, they cannot be entirely eliminated.