UK weather - somerset flood levels

• When have the UK's ten warmest years occurred


  since 1990
• When was the Somerset2014 Decemebr to Febuary
• Somerset experienced three times the average amount of rainfall for those months
• What caused extensive flooding of the levels (an area of low-lying land crisscrossed by rivers)


  Lots of rain fell on already saturated ground and coincided with high tides and storm surges
• How did human activity play a part in the flooding


  The river's hadn't been dredged regularly for 20 years which reduced their capacity
• Social impacts of the flood

  • 600 homes were flooded and many people were forced to evacuate
  • Villages such as Muchelney were cut off by road and the only way in or out was by boat
  • Major transport links including the A361 and some train lines were closed or disrupted
  • Insurance prices soared and some residents were unable to insure their homes against future flooding
• Environmental impacts

  • 11,500 hectares were flooded including farmland - this destroyed many crops - reducing income
  • Standing water made the ground toxic and unproductive for over a year. Loss of nutrients and damage to soil structure decreased the long-term fertility to soil - bad for farmers, no income
  • Tonnes of mud and debris were left by the floods damaging vegetation
• Economic Impacts

  • The total coast of damage to the Somerset Levels was estimated at over £80 million
  • Local companies lost more than 1.2 million in buisness
  • Loss of tourism cost the city £200 million
• Management Strategies have been used to reduce Flood Risk - before the flood

  • Warning systems - gave people time to evacuate e.g. met office warned people to find emergency accommodation in case they had to leave home
  • Individuals and local authorities uses sandbags and flood boards to try and limit flood damage to homes
• Management strategies since the flood

  • Since the flood Government have set up the 'Somerset Levels and Moors Flood Action Plan' - 20 year plan which aims to limit the risk of future flooding. £100 million will be spent
• Government scheme to reduce flooding as a result of Somerset floods

  • Turning temporary pumping stations into permanent ones
  • Regular dredging of the river Parrett and Tone
  • Building a tidal barrage at Bridgewater
  • Widening the River Sowy's channel and King's Sedgemoor Drain