cockermouth, 2009

Question 1

When did this flood in Cockermouth happen?

Answer 1

November 19, 2009

Question 2

What were the previous weather conditions of the area (before the floods)?

Answer 2

The wet fall had already saturated the ground

Question 3

How did the previous weather conditions affect the flooding?

Answer 3

Torrential rain fell on the already saturated ground, and so much of it swept rapidly down the steep hillsides, swelling the streams and rivers

Question 4

Where is Cockermouth?

Answer 4

Cockermouth is a small town on the western side of the Lake District, 13km inland from the coast

Question 5

What are the two rivers at which Cockermouth lies at their confluence?

Answer 5

The Derwent and the Cocker

Question 6

Why did the banks of the Derwent and the Cocker burst?

Answer 6

Because of the sheer volume of water sweeping down these two rivers

Question 7

How high was the torrent of water in Cockermouth?

Answer 7

2.5 meters high

Question 8

What did the flood water severely damage?

Answer 8

Shops, offices, and homes

Question 9

How many people were directly affected by the floods?

Answer 9

1,300 people

Question 10

What affect did the floods have on homes and schools?

Answer 10

Many homes were without power or water, and local schools were forced to close

Question 11

What happened to the bridges in the area and surroundings of Cockermouth?

Answer 11

All of Cumbria’s 1,800 bridges has to be inspected to check they were safe to use. Several bridges were completely destroyed by the flood

Question 12

What happened in Workington?

Answer 12

The northern part of the town became cut off, resulting in lengthy round trips to reach schools, doctors’ surgeries and banks

Question 13

What difficulties did people have in rural Cumbria?

Answer 13

The dislocation of road communications caused immense hardship to local people

Question 14

What did insurance companies expect the cost of damages to be?

Answer 14

In excess of £100 million

Question 15

How did farmers in the area suffer?

Answer 15

Their land was inundated with water; livestock were killed; important pastures became useless; fences and walls were destroyed; farm buildings were damaged; and machinery was ruined

Question 16

What happened to the local businesses (such as shops, pubs and hotels)?

Answer 16

They all faced a dismal winter with little prospect of making any money. Shop stock had been destroyed and many businesses suffered directly from flood damage with up to 1m of mud and silt in the downstairs rooms

Question 17

What was the immediate response to these floods?

Answer 17

The main focus was on search and rescue

Question 18

How many people had to be airlifted to safety?

Answer 18

Some 200 people had to be airlifted from their houses by RAF helicopters

Question 19

Where were the evacuated people taken?

Answer 19

They were taken to temporary shelters to be looked after

Question 20

How else (other than being airlifted) were people rescued from their homes?

Answer 20

Several people were rescued by boat

Question 21

What happened in the days that followed?

Answer 21

Flooded buildings were assessed for their safety before residents and shopkeepers were allowed back to assess the damage for themselves

Question 22

What happened to some small businesses?

Answer 22

They were provided with temporary trading accommodation in the town centre while their shops were refitted

Question 23

Where did the people have to live in the aftermath of these floods?

Answer 23

Most of the residents had to live in alternative accommodation for several months

Question 24

Why did the main road bridge over the River Derwent have to be closed?

Answer 24

This was closed to vehicles for two months to allow for safety checks and repairs

Question 25

What happened to the roads in the town centre?

Answer 25

Several of these roads were so severely broken up by the raging floodwaters that they had to be completely re-surfaced