Somerset Levels (Floods)

Question 1

What happened in the Somerset floods?

Answer 1

• T’was the wettest January since records began. -350mm of rain in January
• High tides and storm surges swept up the river
• Rivers had not been dredged for at least 20 years

Question 2

What are the environmental impacts of the Somerset floods?

Answer 2

• flood waters were heavily contaminated with pollutants and sewage
• Huge amounts of debris had to be cleared
• Stagnant water collected for months and had to be reoxygenated

Question 3

What are the immediate responses from the Somerset floods?

Answer 3

• Homeowners coped as best as they could
• Villagers used boats to go shopping or to attend school
• Local community groups and volunteers gave invaluable support

Question 4

When was the Somerset floods?

Answer 4

Between December 2013 and February 2014

Question 5

What are the social impacts from the Somerset floods?

Answer 5

• 600 houses flooded
• 16 farms evacuated
• many people had power cut off

Question 6

What are the economic impacts from the Somerset floods?

Answer 6

• Estimated more than £10 million
• 14000 hectares of farmland under water for 3-4 weeks
• 1000 livestock had to be evacuated
• Local roads cut off by floods