Somerset Levels Flood Flashcards
When
Somerset levels floods occurred in January of 2014.
Where
Floods occurred on the Somerset levels a county and area in the southwest region of England. Somerset is known as one of the most low lying areas in the UK.
Physical Causes of the Flood
-The main cause is due to a quick succession of Atlantic storms with high amounts of rainfall.
-Rivers on the levels were unable to deal with the large amount of rain.
-High tides in the Bristol Channel caused tidal surges to occur.
What were the Human causes?
-A decrease in dredging leading up to the floods meant less water could be held in the river channels.
-Changing farm practices less grass land in areas, more crops being grown making it less susceptible to infiltration.
Impacts on Somerset.
-The floods was the most significant hazard to effect the area ever.
-the flooding had social, economic and environmental impacts.
Social Impacts
-Over 600 homes and 16 farms were evacuated.
-several villages including Moorland and Muchelney were cut off from other villages and towns after their roads were flooded.
-Power supplies was cut off and temperatures in homes were low.
Economic impacts
-County council estimates the cost for flood damage was over £10 million.
-Agriculture industry was hit with 14 thousand hectares of land being flooded for a mount.
-Main roads including A361 linking Taunton and Street was flooded.
-Train service of Taunton between Bristol was unable to run.
-increase in local crime rates during the floods.
Environmental Impacts
-Contamination of floodwaters from sewage and oil.
-after the recession of the floodwaters a clearing of left over debris was required.
-soil was left damaged after being underwater for 3 months.
-in some areas crops were unable to be grown for the next couple years.
Immediate Responses
-Response time was rapid and well organised.
-amber warning was issued from the met office to the south west region.
-People were advised to use sandbags to protect their homes.
-rescue boats were used to rescue stranded residents.
-65 pumps were used to help drain water.
-Government used an estimated £15 in order to help meet immediate threat costs.
Long Term responses
-Management techniques were implemented to help reduce the risk of future floods.
-Regular dredging, constructing a tidal barrage and additional permanent pumping stations were built.
Physical Weathering
Physical weathering is weathering that affects rocks and rock formations.
Freeze Thaw weathering
Freeze thaw is the process where water gets into cracks in rocks and when the temperature drops below 0 degrees the water freezes and expands. This puts pressure on the rock and can weaken it overtime and cause bits of rock to break of. This process is repeated.
Heating/cooling
Repeated heating and cooling of rocks can cause them to be broken down and weathered. Rocks when heated expand but when cooled they shrink.
Salt weathering
This process occurs due to the growth of salt crystals inside cracks and pores of rocks. Salt water gets into the cracks and pores and when the water evaporates it leaves behind salt crystals.