Component 2 - Boscastle case study

Question 1

What were the impacts of the Boscastle flash flood?

Answer 1

1. Total cost of 15 million pounds
2. Main industry of tourism was damaged
3. 75 cars, 6 caravans and about 100 buildings were destroyed
4. Sewer system was overwhelmed, so sewage leaked into the town. Unsafe for a week.

Question 2

What were the natural causes of the Boscastle flash flood?

Answer 2

1. Boscastle is located in the heart of the steep Valency valley
2. 180mm rain fell in 3 hours
3. Boscastle is located on a triple confluence.
4. Wider area had seen lots of rain for weeks, so ground was saturated.

Question 3

What were the human causes of the Boscastle flash flood?

Answer 3

1. Boscastle bridge was low standing, so it acted as a dam which burst
2. Drainage system was outdated
3. Slopes of valley were deforested
4. Impermeable concrete

Question 4

What were the responses to the Boscastle flash flood?

Answer 4

1. Boscastle bridge was rebuilt higher and wider
2. Forests were replanted
3. River was dredged by 0.75m

Question 5

When was the Boscastle flood?

Answer 5

2004