Somerset level floods

Question 1

Social effects of Somerset floods

Answer 1

• Over 600 homes flooded
• Residents were evacuated to temporary shelters for multiple months
• 16 farms were evacuated
• Power supplies cut off

Question 2

Economic effects of Somerset floods

Answer 2

• Cost of damage estimated to be £10 million
• Over 1000 livestock were evacuated
• Railway lines shut as track had flooded
• 14000 hectares of agricultural land was underwater for 3 weeks

Question 3

Environmental effects of Somerset floods

Answer 3

• Sewage, chemicals and oil contaminated the floodwater
• Stagnant water was left deoxgenated

Question 4

Long-term management of Somerset floods

Answer 4

• Dredging = remove sediment form the river bed to increase its capacity
• Drain enhancement = develop better drainage so the expensive pumping mechanisms don’t need to be relied on
• Increased education = educate community on what to do in the event of a flood