✅HAZARDS Case Study - Storm Desmond 2015 Flashcards
Where
Cumbria, NW England
When
Dec 2015
Context
Storms Eva and Frank at the same time- made land more saturated, increased damage
Dec 2015 was wettest Dec since 1910, and temps were 4 C above average
English climate
Temperate maritime climate
Warm air from tropics collides with cold polar air
Rainfall due to relief
Air pressure
dropped to 939mb
Rainfall on Dec 5th
A month’s worth in one day
341.4mm
Wind speed
reached over 80 mph
Response: warnings
Environmental Agency North West issued 44 severe storm warnings
Immediate impacts
River Eden burst its banks, flooded
Saturated soil, caused landslide in Glenridding Valley
Soil erosion washed into streams, damaged water quality
How many properties lost power
6500
How much did damages cost
£2.3b
How high did floods reach
Floods reached 7.9m, breaching the 7.2m high defences
What did emergency response involve
Gov launched full national emergency response inc. 200 military personnel
Coastguard rescued six residents who were trapped by floods
How many schools were closed
40
How much donated to victims
£400,000