EQ3- Storm surge UK coastal flooding

Question 1

Context of Storm Surge UK 2013/2014

Answer 1

-Dec 2013 and Jan 2014 the UK experienced a spell of extreme weather. Hit by a series of major storms.
-One of the most significant storms occurred on 5-6 Dec 2013 and brought a storm surge that affected the UK + countries in northern europe.

Question 2

What caused the 2013/2014 storm surge?

Answer 2

-Intense low pressure
-Sea shape + coastline: North sea is open to Atlantic ocean and tapers towards the south in a dangerous funnel shape. Allowed strong wind to push storm surge towards london and amsterdam
-Sea depth- the north sea gets shallower and narrower towards the south so ⬆️ height of tides + storm surges.
-High seasonal tides
-Strong northernly winds

Question 3

What were the social impacts of the 2013/2014 UK Storm Surge?

Answer 3

-2 deaths
-1,400 homes flooded and forced evacuation mostly along coast of eastern england but also in north wales.
-At North folk , Cliff erosion caused several properties to collapse into the sea.
-Bridges were shut and rail services in eastern countries were disrupted.

Question 4

What were the evironmental impacts of the 2013/204 storm surge?

Answer 4

-Strong winds gusts over 200km/hr in scotland

Question 5

What were the economic impacts of the 2013/2014 storm surge?

Answer 5

-Insurers calculated the cost of damage at £100 million.

Question 6

What protection did the UK use against the 2013/2014 storm surge?

Answer 6

-Hundreds of thousands of properties were protected by flood defenses
-The thames barrier was closed to protect London

Question 7

What impacts did the 2013/2014 Storm surge have on the netherlands?

Answer 7

• Strong winds
  -Storm surge that was predicted to be up to 2m high in the Netherlands. But reached 3.7m above mean sea level in germany
  -No deaths

Question 8

What protection did the Netherlands have against the 2013/2014 storm surge?

Answer 8

-The netherlands constructed a series of Delta works in response to a 1953 storm surge
-Consists of dams and barriers to protect the country from flooding by the north sea
-it costs 2.5 billion euros to build and additional 17 million a year to operate.
-It was closed abasing the storm surge on 5-6 of Dec 2013