Flooding in an MEDC - Boscastle Flashcards
What is our case study for flooding in an MEDC?
Boscastle, UK.
When was the Boscastle flood?
16th August, 2004.
Name the main river that flows through Boscastle?
River Valency.
The rivers Valency and Jordan flow from Bodmin Moor, what is the problem with this?
It is covered in a thin layer impermeable peat.
How much rain fell in 2 hours?
Over 70mm.
The rain continued until what?
Another 8 inches had fallen.
The village of Boscastle is in what?
In a deep-sided valley at the confluence of 2 rivers.
Heavy rain throughout the summer had done what?
Saturated the soils in the river catchment.
The river had a high…
Tide.
Name a human cause of the Boscastle flood?
Deforestation of the moor in past.
What does the deforestation of the moor in the past mean?
Less vegetation interception to slow down movement of water.
How many buildings collapsed and bridges?
6 buildings.
1 bridge .
What was blocked by trees?
Bridge.
What was being swept downstream?
Cars.
What piled up against buildings?
Uprooted trees up to 30 metres high.
What happened to the windows?
Ripped out of houses and shops.
How many cars were washed about?
50 cars into the harbour.
30 from car park.
What happened to the road which passes through the village?
Washed away.
The RAF and coastguards did what?
Deployed 7 helicopters to rescue trapped people in cars and on the roofs of buildings.
How many people were air lifted to safety?
120 people.
Who watched the harbour?
Coastguards to make sure no one washed away.
How did the firemen help?
Cut their way into roofs of buildings to allow people trapped inside to escape.
50 people were rescued by what?
17 fire appliances and 95 fire fighters.
The clean up bill was massive and estimated to be?
Into the millions on the following day.
What was cleared close to the river course?
Trees, some had been uprooted and blocked by bridges.
What was made to allow more water to flow easily to the river Valency?
Man made culverts were widened.
What did the government promise?
Extra funding and support to help clean up.
