MEDC Flood Flashcards
Location
Boscastle, Cornwall
Date
2004
What were the physical reasons for the flood?
A very wet august so the ground was saturated
Impermeable rocks and thin soils
Steep slopes
Confluence of two rivers just above the village
High tide
What were the human reasons for the flood?
Bridges were low so formed a dam which suddenly burst
Many buildings and roads were positioned near to the river
What were the primary impacts?
50+ cars and caravans were swept out to sea
A wall of water swept through the village
6 buildings swept away
Buildings were flooded with water sewage and mud
Roads under 2.75 metres of water
No deaths but a few serious injuries
What were the secondary impacts?
90% of the economy was dependent on tourism so the village lost lots of money
Insurance companies had to pay out £20 million
What did the £4.6 million management scheme include?
Raising the car park
Raising the height of bridges
Widening and lowering the river bed
Removing dead vegetation
Environment agency have a flood warning system and information
Council runs special advice days, encouraging people to have an emergency evacuation pack and to take out insurance
Council has an emergency action plan
