Somerset Levels Floods

Question 1

What are the Somerset Levels?

Answer 1

An area of low-lying coastal plains and wetlands in the south-west UK, located in the county of Somerset.

Question 2

When was the last severe flooding event on the Somerset Levels?

Answer 2

The winter of 2013-2014.

Question 3

What were the 3 main causes of the Somerset Levels floods?

Answer 3

• High rainfall levels due to many depressions from the Atlantic.
• High tides causing higher river levels.
• Lack of dredging reduced river capacity.

Question 4

How much rain fell in January and February, and how high above average rainfall was this?

Answer 4

350mm (100mm above average)

Question 5

How many homes were flooded?

Answer 5

Over 600

Question 6

How many farms had to be evacuated?

Answer 6

16

Question 7

Why were some people left stranded?

Answer 7

Some villages, such as Moorland and Muchelney, were completely cut off by flood water.

Question 8

What was the estimated cost of damage?

Answer 8

Over £10 million.

Question 9

How was agricultural land affected?

Answer 9

A lot of agricultural land was flooded - over 14,000 ha of agricultural land was underwater for 3-4 weeks.

Question 10

How many livestock had to be evacuated from farms?

Answer 10

Over 1000

Question 11

How were transport links affected?

Answer 11

Many roads were flooded and inaccessible, and the Bristol to Taunton
Railway line was closed at Bridgewater.

Question 12

How did the floods affect the environment?

Answer 12

Floodwater transported sewage, chemicals and debris to other areas and affected the Levels ecosystems.

Question 13

How was stagnant water dealt with after the floods?

Answer 13

Water had to be reoxygenated before being pumped back into rivers.

Question 14

How did warnings limit the effects of the floods?

Answer 14

Weather and flood warnings communicated to residents that there was a danger to life and they should evacuate.

Question 15

How did temporary flood defences help to manage the floods?

Answer 15

Temporary barriers and sandbags helped limit flood water reaching homes to a certain extent.

Question 16

What is the 20-year plan that aims to manage and reduce flood risk in Somerset called?

Answer 16

The Somerset Levels & Moors Flood Action Plan.

Question 17

How had dredging helped manage the Somerset Levels future flood risk?

Answer 17

8km of the River Tone and River Parratt have been dredged, removing 130,000 cubic metres of silt. This has increased the rivers’ capacities.

Question 18

How has drainage and drainage management been improved after the Somerset Levels floods?

Answer 18

Culverts have been added under roads and some roads have been raised. Sustainable Drainage Systems guidance for those developing in urban areas.

Question 19

How is Somerset better preparing for higher sea levels and tides contributing to flood risk?

Answer 19

A tidal barrier will be built at Bridgwater by 2024.

Question 20

How many homes and businesses would the Bridgwater tidal barrier potentially protect?

Answer 20

11,300 homes and 1,500 businesses.

Question 21

What body was set up after the floods to ensure the maintenance and
improvement of river management?

Answer 21

The Somerset Rivers Authority.

Question 22

How has the Somerset Rivers Authority helped increase community and business resilience?

Answer 22

Providing information and support (guides, grants, websites etc.) to communities and businesses to lower the risk of future flood events.