Storm Surges Flashcards
What is a storm surge?
A rise in sea level beneath a severe storm, heightened waves driven onshore by strong winds this is called wind drift.
When were the first floods?
1953 January 31st.
When were the second floods?
6th December 2013.
Where is the Somerset levels?
In East anglia.
How much did the sea level rise in 1953?
5.6 metres.
What were the first two impacts in 1953?
307 people died and 19 people died in Scotland. 24,000 homes were damaged and 40,000 people were made homeless and 32,000 people were evacuated.
What were the second two impacts of 1953?
Over 1600km of coastline is damaged, 160,000 acres of land was inundated with sea water and not usable for several years. Infrastructure like power stations and roads were out out of action.
What were the responses of the 1953 surge?
Storm tides warning service was established in the Met Office, the Thames barrier was constructed and a sea wall and groyne was installed in Sea Palling.
How high above did the 2013 surge rise?
7 metres.
What were the first two impacts of the 2013 surge?
Two people died, 1400 homes were flooded.
What were the second two impacts of the 2013 surge?
Thousands of residents were evacuated and the cost of the damage was 100 million pounds and freshwater habitats were polluted with salt water and nature reserves were flooded.
What is the future of East Anglia like?
Global warming and sea levels rise will make events more common, they will act once every 20 years instead of every 50 years.
