somerset levels and flooding

Question 1

important facts

Answer 1

• it happened January/February 2014
• its in south west England
• it was the wettest January since records began in 1910
• high tides and storms surges swept water up the rivers from the Bristol Channel

Question 2

impacts of the flood - social

Answer 2

• over 600 houses flooded
• 16 farms evacuated
• residents evacuated to temporary accommodations for several months

Question 3

impacts of the flood - economic

Answer 3

• local roads cut off by floods
• over 1,000 livestock evacuated
• over 14,000 ha of agricultural land under water fro 3/4 weeks

Question 4

impacts of the flood - environmental

Answer 4

• a huge amount of debris had to be cleared
• stagnant water that had collected for months had to be re-oxygenated
• floodwater were heavily contaminated with sewage and other pollutants including oil and chemicals

Question 5

immediate responses

Answer 5

• huge media interest was generated
• cut of villagers used boats for transport
• community groups and volunteers gave invaluable support

Question 6

long term responses

Answer 6

• £20 million flood action plan launched by Somerset county council to reduce further risk
• possible tidal barrage at Bridgewater by 2024
• road levels raised in the lowest areas