Somerset levels flooding Flashcards
1
Q
Causes
A
From Dec 2013 to Feb 2014, someset experienced three times the average amount of rainfall
Human activitie aslo played part - the rivers hadn’t benn dredged (cleared of sediemt) regulary for 20 years, which reduced their capacity
2
Q
Social impact
A
- More than 600 homes were flooded, and many people were forced to evacuate
- Villages like Muchleney were cut of and the only way was by boat
- Many transport links like A361 and some train lines were distrupted or closed
3
Q
Economic Impact
A
- The total cost of damage to the somerset levels was estimated at over 80 million
- Local companies lost more than 1.2 million in business
- Loss of tourism cost the county 200 million
4
Q
Environmental impact
A
- 11,500 hectares were flooded including farmland - this destroyed many crops
- Standing water made the ground toxic and unproductive for over a year. Loss of nutrients and damage to the soil structure decreased the long-term fertlity of the land
- Tonnes of mud and debris were left by the floods, damaging vegitation
