Storm Desmond case study

Question 1

Give 4 reasons how Storm Desmond was caused?

Answer 1

• homes and businesses built on floodplains
• Cockermouth lies at the confluence of two rivers
• steep slopes so rainwater quickly ran into rivers
• Autumn 2015 was already wet so ground was already saturated

Question 2

When was Storm Desmond?

Where did it hit?

Answer 2

• 2015

- Cumbria

Question 3

What were the effects?

Answer 3

• 50,000 homes suffered from power cuts
• 40 schools closed
• estimated 5200 homes affected by flooding
• 1 killed
• 500 million [pounds] of damage

Question 4

What were the responses?

Answer 4

• majority of schools reopened within a couple of days
• over 1000 people evacuated
• 8 emergency evacuation centres set up

Question 5

How have Cumbria used protection, planning and prediction to reduce effects of future storms?

Answer 5

PROTECTION: £72 million invested in flood defences, 4300 homes will benefit
PLANNING: slowing water down upstream, restore 350 hectares of peatland, remove 70,000 tonnes of debris from rivers allow easier flow
PREDICTION: MET Office, Environmental Agency, BBC, flood warnings to over 6500 properties across area