North sea 1953 storm surge

Question 1

physical factors leading to flood

Answer 1

• storm surge with strong winds from the north-east pushing water south
• high spring tide along with north sea narrows to the south
• river was swollen due to heavy rain

Question 2

human factors that increased the risk

Answer 2

• neglected sea walls=provided little defence

- no warning system (local radio systems only operated during the day)

Question 3

impacts (soical, economic and environmental)

Answer 3

• 300 UK deaths (S)
• £50 billion damage in UK alone (Ec)
• resorts e.g. Southend lost business (Ec)
• land lost/abandoned due to salt flooding (En)

Question 4

short term responses

Answer 4

• 35,000 evacuations in UK
• army sent in for search and rescue operations
• seal sea walls

Question 5

long term responses

Answer 5

• raising sea walls
• accepting manage retreat to allow some areas to flood
• early warning system put in place with sea level monitoring, providing up to 36 hours of potential event, allowing people to escape/make preperations