Flooding in an MEDC - 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

The rivers Valency and Jordan flow from Bodmin Moor, what is the problem with this?

Answer 4

It is covered in a thin layer impermeable peat.

Question 5

How much rain fell in 2 hours?

Answer 5

Over 70mm.

Question 6

The rain continued until what?

Answer 6

Another 8 inches had fallen.

Question 7

The village of Boscastle is in what?

Answer 7

In a deep-sided valley at the confluence of 2 rivers.

Question 8

Heavy rain throughout the summer had done what?

Answer 8

Saturated the soils in the river catchment.

Question 9

The river had a high…

Answer 9

Tide.

Question 10

Name a human cause of the Boscastle flood?

Answer 10

Deforestation of the moor in past.

Question 11

What does the deforestation of the moor in the past mean?

Answer 11

Less vegetation interception to slow down movement of water.

Question 12

How many buildings collapsed and bridges?

Answer 12

6 buildings.

1 bridge .

Question 13

What was blocked by trees?

Answer 13

Bridge.

Question 14

What was being swept downstream?

Answer 14

Cars.

Question 15

What piled up against buildings?

Answer 15

Uprooted trees up to 30 metres high.

Question 16

What happened to the windows?

Answer 16

Ripped out of houses and shops.

Question 17

How many cars were washed about?

Answer 17

50 cars into the harbour.

30 from car park.

Question 18

What happened to the road which passes through the village?

Answer 18

Washed away.

Question 19

The RAF and coastguards did what?

Answer 19

Deployed 7 helicopters to rescue trapped people in cars and on the roofs of buildings.

Question 20

How many people were air lifted to safety?

Answer 20

120 people.

Question 21

Who watched the harbour?

Answer 21

Coastguards to make sure no one washed away.

Question 22

How did the firemen help?

Answer 22

Cut their way into roofs of buildings to allow people trapped inside to escape.

Question 23

50 people were rescued by what?

Answer 23

17 fire appliances and 95 fire fighters.

Question 24

The clean up bill was massive and estimated to be?

Answer 24

Into the millions on the following day.

Question 25

What was cleared close to the river course?

Answer 25

Trees, some had been uprooted and blocked by bridges.

Question 26

What was made to allow more water to flow easily to the river Valency?

Answer 26

Man made culverts were widened.

Question 27

What did the government promise?

Answer 27

Extra funding and support to help clean up.