Storm Desmond: Cumbria Flood

Question 1

How was flood risk exacerbated?

Answer 1

Changing Land Use:
-More deforestation for cattle and crops
-Cattle farming = Animals compact ground

Mismanagement in Keswick:
-Levees built to height of last flood, so an even bigger one went over barrier
-However, was a highly unpredictable even with low chance of it happening

Question 2

Impacts

Answer 2

3000 homes flooded = displacement

Businesses ruined

£100 million damages

Rivers contaminated with sewage

Banks eroded = more future flood risk

Question 3

Immediate Impacts

Answer 3

61,000 homes lost power

Roads and rail disrupted for a week