Flooding Case Study: Boscastle

Question 1

Physical causes of flood

Answer 1

Stormy weather
Impermeable rock at Bodmin moor prevented infiltration
Over 60mm on rain fell in 2 hours on saturated land
Confluence of 3 rivers

Question 2

Human causes of flood

Answer 2

Lack of flood control
Old sewer and drainage system with low capacity
Small, low bridge trapped material and acted as a dam

Question 3

Effects of flood

Answer 3

25 business properties destroyed which led to loss of jobs
50 buildings damaged
Burst sewage led to potential for disease
Roads blocked so rescue only possible by helicopter
£20 million insurance payment caused premiums to rise
Tourist centre destroyed, affecting tourist economy
4 footbridges washed away

Question 4

Flood defence scheme

Answer 4

Costed £4.6 million and completed by 2008
Channel widened and bed lowered by 0.7m
Raising car park as flood defence with permeable surface
New river/flood defence wall
Bridges with raised arches
Drainage improvements

Question 5

General information

Answer 5

Cornish town with 800 permanent residents
Tourist town
Flood occurred on August 16th 2004