Geography- case study-WOL- flooding- Morpeth

Question 0

What flood defence was established and when?

Answer 0

Following the 1963 flood

-flood walls

Question 1

Where is Morpeth?

Answer 1

A market town situated in the North East of England

Question 2

What were the human causes of the flood?

Answer 2

• 1062 properties were located on floodplains (only 62 escaped the destruction) which damages a rivers natural drainage ground and pushes flood waters downstream.
• increased urbanisation (most water falling in town drained directly into the stream)

Question 3

Natural causes of the flood

Answer 3

• saturated soil as a result of a wet summer (greater surface run-off)
• prolonged rainfall, lead to a peak water level of 3.99m (highest ever recorded)

Question 4

What are the effects of the flood?

Answer 4

• residents forced from their homes (caravans, relatives).
• damages were over £10 million.
• farming losses at over £1 million.

Question 5

What were the short term responses?

Answer 5

• more than 400 residents were evacuated.
• shelter was provided
• emergency rescue services involved in rescue and recovery operations .

Question 6

What were the long term responses?

Answer 6

• possible creation of an upstream reservoir (holding 1 million cubic metres)
• More flood walls built