Cumbria Floods 2009 Flashcards
Pages 38-39
What is the average UK rainfall range?
700-2,500 mm per annum
The floods had the heaviest rainfall ever (at the time) in the UK, how much fell in 24-hours?
In a record 24-hours, 31cm of water fell
When was the floods?
November 2009 - 17-20th mainly
What caused the huge rainfall?
A very deep Atlantic depression moving northeastwards over Scotland and Northern England.
What caused the huge rainfall?
A very deep Atlantic depression moving northeastwards causing relief rainfall over the Cambrian Mountains.
Were there any deaths?
A police officer died under a collapsed bridge in Workington. (PC Bill Barker)
Suggest a reason why the flooding posed to increase risk of some diseases?
Increased water-borne diseases due to rising sewage carried up in the excess floodwater.
Which town experienced heavy floods?
Cockermouth
Describe how the Cambrian mountains received heavy relief rainfall.
1 - Warm mid-Atlantic air moved towards land due to prevailing winds.
2 - The air was forced upwards due to the mountains
3 - As the air cooled, it condensed to form heavy rain.
4 - Rain fell into the Rivers Derwent and Cocker.
Two rivers received heavy relief rainfall, and the town of Cockermouth was so damaged as it was located at the confluence of these two rivers.
What are the rivers called?
River Derwent
River Cocker
Many people were evacuated,
how many of these evacuations were by helicopter?
50
How many businesses were affected?
Over 3,000
What was the total of insurance claims due to the floods?
£100 million
What was the average damage to each household?
£28,000
One environmental impact is the changed river properties. What happened to the rate of erosion in rivers after the floods?
Rate of erosion increased
