Somerset Levels

• Where - south west England
• Causes -

  • River had not been dredged for 20 years
  • High tide and storm surges water up the rivers from Bristol channel, preventing normal flow
  • Sequence of South westerly depressions drought record rainfall in Jan and feb
• Immediate responses-

  • met office issues a warning and residents were moved to emergency accommodation
  • Boats were used to access essential supplies- Royal Marie were deployed to help
  • pumping stations were set up to pump water back into rivers
  • Sandbags and flood boards were used to protect buildings
• Long term responses -

  • volunteer groups were set up
  • Road levels were raised in some areas
  • Somerset levels and moors flood action plan was created- 20 year plan cost £10 million
  • A barrage to be built at Bridgewater and River tone and river parrett to be regularly dredged
• Social, economic, environmental-

  • over 600 houses flooded, and 16 farms evacuated
  • Villages cut off - disrupts work, schools, shopping
  • Cost of flood damage and responses = £147.5 million
  • power supply, roads and railways cut off
  • floodwaters contaminated with sewage, oil, chemicals
  • massive debris clearance required