Somerset Levels Flashcards
When were the floods from
December 2013 to February 2014
How rainfall was there
3 times the average amount of rainfall
What caused the floods excluding the rainfall
Already saturated ground coincided with high tides and rainfall.
Rivers haven’t been dredged for almost 20 years ( get rid of sediment in the bottom of rivers)
Social impacts
More than 600 homes were flooded and many people were forced to evacuate
Villages such as Muchelny were cut off by road, only could get in and out was by boat.
Major transport links such as railways and the A261 were closed or disrupted
Insurance prices soared and some residents were unable to insure their homes against future flooding.
Environmental impacts
11500 hectares were flooded, included farmland - this destroyed many crop
Standing water made ground unproductive for over a year. Loss of nutrients and damage to soil decreased long-term fertility of land
Tonnes of mud and debris were left by floods, damaging vegetation
Economical impacts
- total damage cost was £80 million
- Local companies lost £1.2 million in business
- Loss of tourism cost the county £200 million
What management strategies have been used to reduce flood risks ?
1) before the flood
- warning systems gave people time to prepare e.g. met office advised people to find emergency accommodation
- individuals and local authorities used sandbags and flood boards to try and limit flood damage to homes
2) after the flood
- ‘Somerset Levels and Moors Flood Action Plan’ - 20 year plan - £100million will be spent on:
- Turning temporary pumping stations into permanent ones
- regular dredging of the rivers Parrett and Tone
- Building of a tidal bridge at Bridgwater
- Widening the River Sowy’s channel and King’s Sedge moor Drain
