Flooding in a Rich Part of the World - Boscastle

Question 1

What is our case study for flooding in an MEDC?

Answer 1

Boscastle, UK

Question 2

When was the Boscastle flood?

Answer 2

16th August 2004

Question 3

Name the main river that flows through Boscastle

Answer 3

River Valency

Question 4

Name a physical cause of the Boscastle flood

Answer 4

• The rivers Valency and Jordan flow from Bodmin Moor, which is covered in a thin layer of impermeable peat.
• More than 70mm of rain (the average for the whole of August) fell in just 2 hours on Monday. It continued on until 8 inches of rain had fallen.
• The village is in a deep-sided valley at the confluence of two rivers
• .Heavy rain throughout the summer had saturated the soils in the river catchment
• There was a high tide

Question 5

Name a human cause of the Boscastle flood

Answer 5

• Deforestation of the moor in the past means that there is less vegetation interception to slow the movement of water.

Question 6

Name three effects of the Boscastle flood

Answer 6

• Six buildings and a bridge collapsed
• Bridge is blocked by trees and cars being swept downstream by the floodwaters
• Uprooted trees piled up 30 feet high against buildings
• Windows were ripped out of shops and houses
• 50 cars were washed away, (at least 30 from the car park) into the harbour
• The road which passes through the village was washed away
• Many buildings were totally ruined by the floodwaters.

Question 7

Name three response to the Boscastle flood

Answer 7

• The RAF and coastguards deployed 7 Helicopters to rescue people trapped in cars and on the roofs of buildings
• More than 120 people were air lifted to safety by helicopters
• Coastguards watched the harbour entrance to make sure no-one was swept away.
• Firemen cut their way into the roofs of buildings to allow people trapped inside to escape.
• 17-fire appliances and 95 fire fighters rescued more than 50 people.
• The clean-up bill will be massive – estimated on the following day to run in to millions.
• Trees close to the river course were cleared. In the flood some had been uprooted and blocked bridges
• Man-made culverts were widened to allow more water to flow easily to the River Valency
• The government promised extra funding and support to help clean up the area.