Boscastle Flood 2004

Effects

Causes

image

Solutions

Urban areas

Citation

Rural areas

physical

Whole Country

The estimated cost of damage was £15 million. affecting more than 1,000 people. Income from tourism was lost. This had an impact on livelihoods and the local economy.

75 cars, 5 caravans, 6 buildings and several boats were washed into the sea. The main structure of the former lower bridge survived the flood, however the stone walls did not, and were washed away, 14 cars became lodged beneath it, this had caused a huge backlog of flood water and debris, adding to the damage caused in the surrounding area.

trees were uprooted and debris were scattered over a large area.

Date and location

Monday, 16 August 2004. of Boscastle and Crackington Haen in Cornwallm, flowed into two rivers, the Valency and Jordan.

Human

climate change

Changes in farming practice in the area also possibly contributed, with a reduction of trees and hedges higher up the valley causing water to flow through more quickly than would have been the case in the past.

Narrow river channels in the village itself.

“Case Study: Boscastle - Rivers and Flooding - KS3 Geography (Environment and Society) Revision - BBC Bitesize.” BBC News, BBC, https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zgycwmn/revision/3.

People in England should always pay attention to the weather forecast and keep emergency supplies at home.
Towns can make changes. Dr Linda Specter, a flood expert at the University of Reading in the UK, said that urban areas might benefit from some changes, such as "permeable roads and green roofs that are conducive to rainwater infiltration rather than causing floods". It may be easier to eliminate the risk of sudden floods by mastering the information about the upcoming heavy rainfall.

“Flooding in Boscastle, England (2004) - Flooding in Drainage Basins - GCSE Geography Revision - WJEC - BBC Bitesize.” BBC News, BBC, https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z74g2sg/revision/3.

人民资讯. (2021, July 29). 英媒:人们如何1应对突发洪水. 百度. https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1706598226557097772&wfr=spider&for=pc

Over 60 mm of rainfall (typically a month's rainfall) fell in two hours. This led to a flash-flood event.


The ground was already saturated due to the previous two weeks of above average rainfall.

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On the 16th, prevailing winds carried warm air carrying moisture toward the South West Cornish coast as a result of lingering heat from the Atlantic Ocean.

The sharp valley of Boscastle acted as a funnel, bringing huge amounts of water into the community.

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