Natural Hazards - Cockermouth Floods (2009) Flashcards
1
Q
Date of Event:
A
17-20 November 2009
2
Q
Homes affected:
A
Over 1,500 homes
3
Q
Total damages:
A
£100 million, including insurance claims, business damage, and rebuilding costs
4
Q
Problem with R. Derwent:
A
By 20 November, it was 10 metres wider than normal, and water flowed at a rate 25 times higher than normal
5
Q
Main Physical Causes:
A
- Very deep Atlantic depression moving to the NE over Scotland and N England
- Cumbria had already received a month’s worth of rainfall; saturated soil
- Rivers Derwent and Cocker converge near Cockermouth
6
Q
Main Human Causes:
A
- Building of infrastructure in the drainage basin e.g. in Cockermouth
- Removal of vegetation, reducing interception of rainfall due to infrastructure
7
Q
Social Effects:
A
- Bridge in Workington collapsed, leading to the death of a police officer
- Many injured, 1500 homes flooded, a lot of distress for residents
- Increased health risk due to sewage contamination
- Psychological damage
8
Q
Economic Effects:
A
- Many businesses closed, causing loss of income.
- Debris transported by the river and its force destroyed 6 important regional bridges, increasing rebuilding costs
- Other bridges became very unstable due to scouring of foundations.
- £100 million damage
- £28,000 for each hosue to repair damage
9
Q
Environmental Effects:
A
- Erosion triggered landslides along the banks of the Derwent.
- R. Derwent carried away hundreds of trees, damaging local ecosystems and habitats.
10
Q
Main Short-Term Responses:
A
- West Cumbria Development Agency paid for advertisements to announce Cumbria was open for business again.
- This helped businesses gain momentum and start generating revenue as soon as possible.
11
Q
Main Long-Term Responses:
A
- New flood defences built, at a total cost of £4.5 million.
- Mobile wall built that rises when needed.
- The EA ensures that residents will be provided with improved flood warnings.
