Somerset Levels Flooding | AQA GCSE Geography | Weather Hazards 12

Summary

The video discusses the severe flooding of the Somerset Levels in January and February 2014, highlighting the causes, impacts, and responses. Heavy rainfall, high tides, and clogged rivers contributed to the disaster. Over 600 homes were flooded, and thousands of livestock were evacuated. The economic impact exceeded £10 million, and environmental damage was significant. Immediate responses included evacuation and volunteer aid, while long-term measures like dredging, flood defenses, and raising road levels aim to reduce future risks. The video serves as a detailed case study of extreme weather and its consequences on communities.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Somerset Levels, located in South West England, are prone to flooding due to their low-lying land and proximity to rivers and the Bristol Channel.
• 🌧️ The 2014 Somerset Levels floods were triggered by the wettest January on record, with 35 cm of rain falling in just two months.
• 🌊 Storm surges combined with high tides blocked freshwater from reaching the sea, causing rivers to overflow and flood the area.
• 🛑 The local rivers hadn't been dredged for over 20 years, which decreased their capacity to hold water, worsening the flood event.
• 🏠 Over 600 homes and 16 farms were flooded, leading to mass evacuations and several months of temporary accommodation for residents.
• 📉 The floods had a significant economic impact, costing over 10 million pounds in damage and disrupting farming, trade, and transport.
• 🌱 Over 1400 hectares of land used for grazing and crops were submerged, and around 1000 livestock had to be relocated.
• 💧 Environmental impacts included heavily contaminated floodwaters, requiring extensive cleaning and re-oxygenation to protect marine ecosystems.
• 🚤 Immediate responses included evacuations, temporary accommodation, and volunteer support to help locals with transport and daily tasks.
• 🏗️ Long-term responses to mitigate future floods included a £20 million flood action plan with measures such as river dredging, road raising, and improved flood defenses.

Q & A

What were the key geographical features of Somerset that made it vulnerable to flooding?

Somerset is an area of low-lying farmland and wetlands, bordered by the Bristol Channel to the south and the Quantock and Mendip Hills to the west and north. It is prone to flooding due to its geography, with several rivers, including the Tone and Parrett, flowing through it and into the Seven Estuary.

What were the main weather conditions that contributed to the severe flooding in Somerset in 2014?

The wettest January on record, with 35 centimeters of rain in January and February, saturated the ground. This, combined with low pressure weather systems from the Atlantic, and high tides and storm surges, blocked the flow of water into the sea, causing flooding.

How did human activity, such as building settlements, contribute to the flood risk in Somerset?

Settlements were built on floodplains, which increased the risk of flooding. The fertile land encouraged farming and the development of communities, but this decision elevated the vulnerability of these areas to flooding, particularly in extreme weather events.

Why did the local rivers exacerbate the flooding in Somerset in 2014?

The local rivers had not been dredged for over 20 years, causing them to become clogged with sediment and debris, such as tree branches. This reduced their capacity to hold water, leading to more frequent and severe flooding.

What were some of the social impacts of the 2014 Somerset floods?

Over 600 houses were flooded, and 16 farms were evacuated. Many residents had to stay in temporary accommodation for months. Some villages were completely cut off, making daily activities, like going to the shops or school, nearly impossible. Power outages also affected many areas for several days or weeks.

How did the flooding in Somerset impact the local economy?

The flooding caused significant economic damage, with an estimated cost of over 10 million pounds. Agricultural losses included the flooding of over 1,400 hectares of farmland, damaging crops and grazing land. Additionally, the evacuation of livestock and disruption to local roads and railways hindered trade.

What were the environmental impacts of the Somerset floods?

The floodwaters were contaminated with sewage, oil, and chemicals, posing a threat to the environment. Debris had to be cleared, and stagnant water needed to be re-oxygenated before being pumped back into rivers to prevent long-term damage to marine ecosystems.

What immediate responses were made to manage the flooding in Somerset?

Immediate responses included evacuating residents and providing temporary accommodation. Volunteers helped by offering support services in churches and village halls. Residents used sandbags to prevent further water from entering their homes, and boats were used to transport people to essential services.

What were some of the long-term measures taken to prevent future flooding in Somerset?

Somerset County Council implemented a 20 million-pound flood action plan, which included dredging rivers to increase their capacity, raising road levels to prevent villages from being cut off, installing flood defenses in vulnerable areas, and strengthening riverbanks. Additional pumping stations were also installed to manage water levels.

How did the local community contribute to managing the immediate impacts of the floods?

The local community, supported by volunteers, played a crucial role in managing the immediate impacts. They helped people access essential services, such as getting to work, school, and shops using boats, and they assisted with evacuations and offering shelter in churches and village halls.