Causes/Impacts of Flooding. Case Study 2 - Carlisle, Cumbria, 2005

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  • Created by: charlia
  • Created on: 14-04-15 17:22

Causes/Impacts of Flooding. Case Study 2 - Carlisle, Cumbria, 2005

Causes

  • Heavy rainfall on the 6th Jan for 36 hours. 200mm of rainfall recorded, the equivalent of four months rain.
  • Rain fell on already saturated ground
  • High peak discharge of 1520 compared to the average of 52 cumecs
  • Carlisle is a large built up area with impermeable concrete and tarmac, little vegetation.
  • Drains and sewerage systems overflowed in some areas, 25% of the flooding problems were associated with overflowing drains.
  • Large drainage basin with some steep sides.

Effects

  • Social: 3 people died
  • Over 3000 made homeless for up to a year.
  • 4 schools severely flooded
  • Increase in stress-related illness' following the flood
  • Economic: repairs cost over £100 million
  • 350 businesses had to shut down as there was no electricity, telephone or transport
  • United biscuits was flooded. 33 out of 1100 employees lost their jobs
  • 70,000 addresses had no power.
  • 80 buses destroyed

Overall summary

The Impacts may not have been as bad in Carlisle compared to LEDCs because of a better response due to more knowledge/education. Less deaths occurred. 

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