Boscastle Flooding incident- Case study

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Boscastle Flooding incident

General information

When- 16th August 2004

Where- Cornwall

What- flooding

Why- River Valency and Jordan burst their banks

Causes

1. The climate/previous weather conditions

Hurricane Alex crossed the Atlantic ocean, which in turn caused heavy rainfall and thunder to the south. Cornwall was associated with being a flashy catchment area, previous rain fall caused water logged ground and filled the river. when the 200 mm rain that fell in a four hour period occurred both river Jordan and Valency bursts their banks as they could not hold anymore water.

2. The Harbor

The heavy rainfall increased the sea level, the harbor at boscastle- since it was near the sea- made it an easy accessibility for the water to flood.

3. Impermeable rock

Boscastle roads were concrete, which is an impermeable type of rock this restricted the absorption soil and vegetation as it acted like a barrier between the soil and rain.

4. Boscastle was on a V-shaped valley

Boscastle happened to be built on the confluence between river valency and Jordan, when both rivers burst their banks bostcastle was unlucky as it was in between them. also, the water from the higher ground sloped down into the village further flooding it.

Effects

Cars were swept away

Bridges were washed away

Accommodation providers were forced to shut down

People lost three weeks of income

Responses

Immediate responses

-emergency workers immediately rescued people along the 20mile coastline

seven helicopters rescued around 150 people who were stranded on treees and rofftops

55 residents were airlifted out by the royal airforce

Longer term responses

Bigger culverts were sorted in both rivers

straightend and eepend the river beds

1 newbridge across the river v and widened the channel

river embankments and gabions