Somerset Flooding- Case Study

Question 1

Where did the flooding occur?

Answer 1

Somerset Levels- South west England

Question 2

When did it occur?

Answer 2

2014

Question 3

Why did the flooding happen?

Answer 3

• Rivers had not been dredged for 20 years
• High tides and storm surges swept water up the rivers
• Wettest January since records began in 1910

Question 4

What are the social effects/ responses?

Answer 4

• 600 homes flooded
• 16 farms evacuated
• Power supplies cut off
• People evacuated

Question 5

What are the environmental effects/ responses?

Answer 5

• Waters contaminated
• Local roads cut off
• Huge amounts of debris
• Stagnant water had to be re-oxygenated

Question 6

What are the economic effects/ responses?

Answer 6

• Damage cost £10 million
• Railway line closed
• 14, 000 hectares of agriculture under water for 3-4 weeks

Question 7

Management Strategies

Answer 7

• £20 million flood action plan was launched
• Road levels raised and bridges built higher
• Flood defences built
• River banks were raised and strengthened
• Dredging the rivers