York flooding 2000

Question 1

What are the 2 rivers that run through York?

Answer 1

The river Ouse and Foss

Question 2

What were the physical causes of the flood? (5)

Answer 2

1. A steep relief in the upper course causing lots of surface run-off
2. Large amounts of impermeable soils and seams of Permian limestone causing a quick throughflow
3. Low interception rates in the upper course due to large amounts of heather
4. Saturated soils at the time due to the season
5. Wettest autumn recorded in the UK

Question 3

What were the human causes of flooding? (2)

Answer 3

1. Urbanisation on a floodplain including new housing areas, shopping centre and industrial areas
2. Removal of tress due to farming in the rivers course limiting interception

Question 4

What were the social impacts of the flood? (3)

Answer 4

1. People nervous of flooding 12 months on
2. Insurance companies treating victims unfairly
3. Residents forced to leave their homes

Question 5

What were the economic impacts of the flood? (5)

Answer 5

1. Businesses flooded lost revenue and needed repairs
2. City centre car parks flooded causing problems for shoppers and businesses
3. 25 roads closed
4. Overall cost estimated at £1 billion
5. Residents affected have struggled to get insurance and have a fall in house prices

Question 6

What were the environmental impacts of the floods? (3)

Answer 6

1. Fields saturated
2. Aquatic wildlife affected
3. Increased/unusual erosion and deposition

Question 7

What were the short term responses? (2)

Answer 7

1. Thousands of sand bags filled and distributed

2. 40 people removed from homes and 2 rest centres opened for victims

Question 8

What were the long term responses? (3)

Answer 8

1. Exisiting denfences were repaired and strengthened
2. Aforestation plans proposed
3. Review of government agencies to see who was at fault