MEDC CaseStudy - Boscastle Flooding

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MEDC CASESTUDY - Boscastle Flooding

Causes

  • Over 60mm of rainfll fell in 2 hours ( a typical months rainfall ).
  • The ground was already saturated due to the previous 2 weeks of above average rainfall.
  • The drainage basin has many steep slopes, and has areas ofc impermeable slate causing rapid surface runoff.
  • Boscastle is at the confluence of 3 rivers, Valency, Jordan and Paradise. A large quantity of water all arrived within a short space of time causing the rivers to overflow.
  • The flooding coincided with a high tide, making the impact worse.
  • Old sewer and drainage system with low capacity.
  • Lack of any flood control eg; raised banks around river and emergency drainage ditches.
  • Small, low bridges over river trapped material and cars acting as a damn and causing more water to flow around the bridge leading to flooding.

Effects

  • Homes, businesses and cars belonging to more than 1,000 people were swept away.
  • Income from tourism was lost. This had an impact on livelihoods and the local economy.
  • There were vast numbers of subsequent insurance claims.
  • No lives were lost, partly due to the rapid response of the emergency services.
  • 25 business properties destroyed.
  • 50 buildings damaged.
  • 4 footbridges washed away.
  • Pavements and gardens damaged by weight of water.
  • Roads blocked so rescue by helicopter only.

Overall summary

A small north Cornish town popular with tourists. Approximately 800 permanent residents but more effected due to influx of tourists. Hit by catastrophic floods on 16th August 2004.

Comments

CookieMonsterE

Report

  • Over 60mm of rainfll fell in 2 hours ( a typical months rainfall ).
  • The ground was already saturated due to the previous 2 weeks of above average rainfall.
  • The drainage basin has many steep slopes, and has areas ofc impermeable slate causing rapid surface runoff.
  • Boscastle is at the confluence of 3 rivers, Valency, Jordan and Paradise. A large quantity of water all arrived within a short space of time causing the rivers to overflow.
  • The flooding coincided with a high tide, making the impact worse.
  • Old sewer and drainage system with low capacity.
  • Lack of any flood control eg; raised banks around river and emergency drainage ditches.
  • Small, low bridges over river trapped material and cars acting as a damn and causing more water to flow around the bridge leading to flooding.

All Things That could be improved in italic and Bold

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