Flooding of Lower river Severn 2007 Flashcards
1
Q
basic facts
A
-3rd largest river in UK
2
Q
physical factors leading to flood
A
- rock type, relief, climate and vegetation
- in central wales, upper catchment is above 300m (slopes are steep=runoff rapid)
- floodplane is only a few 100m above sea level
- convergence of tributaries
- mean annual rainfall in mountains exceed 200mm, intense and prolonged
- low evaporation rates
- vegetation cover-nearly 45% in upper catchment is rough pasture and moorland
3
Q
human factors that led to flood
A
- building on floodplanes e.g. Upton-upon-severn
- rural land use change and land use drainage contributed to higher peak flows
- drainage of farmlands speeds movement of rainwater into river
- lack of hard flood defenses e.g. absense of flood relief channels, channel widening and straightening
4
Q
social impacts
A
- disruption to electricity and water supplies e..g flooding in Gloucestershire left 50,000 homes without power
- water treatment plant in Tewkesbury flooded-water supplies for 14,000 households cut off for 5 days
- motorists stranded on M5 and surrounding roads, forced to abandon cars
5
Q
economic impacts
A
- £1-1.5 billion losses including damage to property, motor vehicles, disruption to businesses and expenses of temporary accommodation
- large scale damage to property disruption of businesses e.g. 27,000 domestic insurance claims
- vehicles damaged and abandoned, blocking roads and traffic flows. M5 closed due to flooding and landslides on 20th July
- crops submerged in sewage
6
Q
environmental impacts
A
- small mammals drowned
- ground nesting birds badly affected
- large numbers of mature fish left stranded on flood plane when water had receeded
7
Q
short term responses
A
- distribution of water (5 million litres per day) and deployment of 1500 water bowers
- government provided £87 million of emergency aid for funding schools, transport and businesses
- EU contributed a further $31 million
