The Great Storm Of 1987 Flashcards
1
Q
Prediction
A
Lack of awareness and warning
Michael Fish told not to worry
Storm veered NE and deepened
1/100 year event difficult to predict
Pressure fell to 951mb over England
People asleep - struck during night
2
Q
Causes
A
• Caused by depression 951mb • Bay of Biscay • Tc air + pc air steep gradient = strong winds + jet stream • 15th Oct veered N towards E channel mouth = warming of bay + latent heat • Low pressure over England 6 hrs
3
Q
Social effects
A
SOCIAL
16 died 4 France
4
Q
Economic effects
A
ECONOMIC
1 m buildings + transport
Damage worse in populated areas, e.g. Dover
Gatwick airport closed
Boats wrecked Folkestone ferry blown ashore
5
Q
Environmental effects
A
ENVIRONMENTAL 15m trees blown down Wreck looking landscape Suffolk standings lost 97% trees Woodland habitat lost Worse as soil already saturated so easy for trees to blow over
6
Q
Short term responses
A
SHORT TERM
Emergency services dealt with calls = 4 months in 1 night
Clean up operation took time = damaged roads etc
Highway agencies cleared roads of debris
7
Q
Long term responses
A
LONG TERM Fallen trees removed 4 million m3 timber recovered 175,000 lorries loaded with timber 180 men cleared site in 18 months £1.8 b in UK MET OFFICE = CRITICISM Improved computer models/observations by ships/satellites etc
8
Q
Date and background
A
16th Oct 1987
SE England
East Anglia worst damage
Also France hit
Temperate storm
