In December 2013 - February 2014, what had happened?
Did Human Activity play a role in why the Somerset Flooding happened? | -During these months, Somerset had around 3x the amount of Rainfall it would get usually
-These means lots of rains fell on Saturated Ground, which means it slips off, and it was paired with Storm Surges and High Tides. This made Flooding
-Lack of Human Activity has happened as well, because the rivers wasn't cleared of Sediment [Dredged] which Decreases their Capacity |
Social Impacts of the Somerset Flooding? | -600 Homes was Flooded; Many people evacuated
-Muchelney, a Village, was cut off by Road
-Transports Links, like the A361 and some Rails, was Affected
-Insurance had its prices Sky Rockets - some people couldn't even Insure their flood for the Future |
Environmental Impacts of the Somerset Flooding? | -11,500 Hectares was Flooded; majority was Farmland
-The Ground was Toxic and Useless for more than a year, because of the Standing Water. Fertility of the land Decreased
-Vegetation affected from the Tons of Mud and Debris by the Flood |
Economic Impacts of the Somerset Flooding? | -Total cost of Damage was around £80 Million
-Companies lost around £1.2 Million in Business
-Reduction in Tourism costed around £200 Million |
What happened BEFORE the flood in terms of Management Strategies? | -There was Warning given out, which gave People time to Prepare
-Sandbags and Flood boards was layed out by People, to limit the Damage that the Flood might Cause |
What happened AFTER the Flood in terms of Management Strategies? | -Government made the 'Somerset Levels and Moors Flood Action Plan' which is a Plan lasting 20 Years that deals with Future Flooding. Around £100 Million will be spent on:
1. Temporary Pumping Station --> Permanent Pumping Stations
2. Regular dredging the River Parett, and the River Tone
3. Constructing a Tidal Barrage at Bridgewater
4. Widening the River Sowy's Channel, and the King's Sedgemoor Drain. |