Boscastle Floods, 2004

Created by: AbiM
Created on: 25-02-14 14:22


	Boscastle Floods, 2004
	Causes Heavy rain in a short period of time - short lag time Steep relief - short lag time Impermeable rock - surface storage - lack of interception Round basin - increased river discharge - short lag time Lack of vegetation - short lag time - lack of interception - high discharge Saturated ground from previous rainfall - increased surface storage - shorter lag time - high discharge Built on the floodplain of the Valency river and the River Jordan. Anticlockwise wind direction - south westerley direction into Boscastle	Effects Cars (50) and infrastructure including bridges washed away - ended in sea - pollution from fuel leakages Trees were uprooted Erosion of river banks, gardens and pavements Damage to buildings and land - high insurance clains - higher insurance premiums the following years Loss of tourism - loss of income Habitat loss Coastal pollution - debris and fuel from cars entered sea Long-term disruption to the village Long-term stress and anxiety to people affected Rescue operation; helicopters, lifeboats and fire services
	Overall summary In response to the floods: John Prescott (the Deputy Prime Minister) and Prince Charles visited members of the emergency services and GP surgeries which acted as the emergency centre following the disaster. A large donation by Prince Charles to fund the rebuild of Boscastle. Environment agency carried a major project to increase flood defence to prevent a similar flood. Invest new ways of predicting heavy rainfall events on a small scale to give better warnings. Demolish the existing 19th Century Lower Bridge and replace it. Lowering and widening of the River Valency - increases rivers capacity. Reinstate valley floor debris traps up the Valency.

Boscastle Floods, 2004

Causes

Heavy rain in a short period of time - short lag time
Steep relief - short lag time
Impermeable rock - surface storage - lack of interception
Round basin - increased river discharge - short lag time
Lack of vegetation - short lag time - lack of interception - high discharge
Saturated ground from previous rainfall - increased surface storage - shorter lag time - high discharge
Built on the floodplain of the Valency river and the River Jordan.
Anticlockwise wind direction - south westerley direction into Boscastle

Effects

Cars (50) and infrastructure including bridges washed away - ended in sea - pollution from fuel leakages
Trees were uprooted
Erosion of river banks, gardens and pavements
Damage to buildings and land - high insurance clains - higher insurance premiums the following years
Loss of tourism - loss of income
Habitat loss
Coastal pollution - debris and fuel from cars entered sea
Long-term disruption to the village
Long-term stress and anxiety to people affected
Rescue operation; helicopters, lifeboats and fire services

Overall summary

In response to the floods: John Prescott (the Deputy Prime Minister) and Prince Charles visited members of the emergency services and GP surgeries which acted as the emergency centre following the disaster. A large donation by Prince Charles to fund the rebuild of Boscastle. Environment agency carried a major project to increase flood defence to prevent a similar flood. Invest new ways of predicting heavy rainfall events on a small scale to give better warnings. Demolish the existing 19th Century Lower Bridge and replace it. Lowering and widening of the River Valency - increases rivers capacity. Reinstate valley floor debris traps up the Valency.

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Boscastle Floods, 2004