Somerset floods Flashcards
where is Somerset
It is in the south west of England with several rivers draining the area
what caused the floods
It was the wettest January since records began in 1910.
High tides and storm surges swept up the rivers from the Bristol Channel which stopped the original water from reaching the sea so it was pushed straight over the banks
Rivers hadn’t been dredged for at least 20 years, and had clogged with sediment
what were three social impacts of the floods
16 farms evacuated
over 600 houses flooded
many people had power supplies cut off
what were three economic impacts of the floods
Estimated £10 million in damage done
Over 14000 hectors of agricultural land underwater for 3-4 weeks
Bristol to taunton railway line closed at Bridgewater
what were three environmental impacts of the floods
Floodwaters were heavily contaminated with sewage and other pollutants including oil and chemicals
Large amounts of debris had to be cleared
Stagnant water that had collected fro months had to be reoxygenated before being put back into the river
what were some immediate responses
Villagers cut off by the floods used boats to go shopping or attend school and local community groups and volunteers gave invaluable support
what were some longer term responses
A £20 million Flood action plan was launched by the Somerset county council and agencies such as the environment agency to reduce to the risk of future flooding
8km of the rivers tone and the river parrot were dredged to increase the capacity of the river channel
vulnerable communities will have flood defences
