UK storms case studies complete

UK storms case studies complete

1. Storm of 1987

   • took place On the 15th-16th October 1987
     • This storm was created as warm tropical air met very cold polar air forcing the warm air to rise and creating an area of low pressure. Due to the great difference in temperature, there was a particularly great difference in the pressure. This created a very low pressure. The greater the difference means the greater flow of winds.
       • As well as this, the storm was supported by the phenomenon of a sting jet. This cold dry air descends into storms in the higher atmosphere. This resulted in greater energy from this jet of winds.
         • It was this combined effect which resulted in one of the worst storms in the UK since 1703.
   • physical
     • The storm created winds building up to 100mph.
     • Buildings collapsed and many people were put in danger
       • This would have had social effects as people could get hurt or psychologically traumatized
   • Responses
     • A great deal of effort and money was put into the post-storm clean-up of forests and wooded areas
       • some people such as Oliver Rackham writer and the charity Common Ground, were active in trying to prevent unnecessary destruction of trees which had fallen but were still living.
     • some people such as Oliver Rackham writer and the charity Common Ground, were active in trying to prevent unnecessary destruction of trees which had fallen but were still living.
   • Social
     • Many people needed assistance as the Fire brigade had 6000 calls in 24 hours.
     • The storm in total claimed 18 lives
   • Economic
     • 15 million trees were blown over. Many of which landed in railways and roads blocking transport routes
       • Many also fell on electricity and phone wires leaving 50 million in the UK without electricity. (these would have created a loss in infrastructure
     • . The Cost £15 billion in insurance claims, so premiums went up for everyone next year.

2. Storm Desmond

   • recently took place in winter of 2015. created an atmospheric river, bringing in moist air from the Caribbean to the British Isles. As a result, the rainfall from Desmond was unusually heavy.
     • The heavy rain and strong winds were caused by an area of low pressure which arrived on Friday from the Atlantic.
       • The worst affected areas were around Cumbria, parts of Lancashire and the Scottish Borders. In Ireland the worst affected areas were in the Shannon River Basin in the west and Irish midland.
     • narrow regions in the atmosphere that are responsible for most of the horizontal transport of water vapor outside of the tropics.
   • Effects
     • Social
     • Enviromental
       • Landslides occurred in many places as the result of heavy rainfall and the land becoming saturated.
     • Physical
       • Thousands of homes were flooded or left without power.
         • than 43,000 homes across the north of England were left without power, as well as over 2,000 homes in the Republic of Ireland and around 700 in Wales, while an estimated 5,200 homes were affected by flooding.
     • Economic
       • This included Roads of the West Coast Mainline and rail routes to Scotland and getting delayed. A train traveling towards Glasgow left stranded at Carlisle station overnight. This would have created a loss in possible tourism and infrastructure for the area.
       • The Economic losses from the storm were between £1.6bn and £2.3bn, while insured losses will hit £900m-£1.2bn.
   • Responses
     • The Government mobilised a full national emergency response”.
       • This included 200 military personnel. This allowed for more people to evacuate to safer locations and made it easier to reach people in harsh conditions
     • More than 100 flood warnings and more than 70 flood alerts were in place in northern England on Saturday night, with more than 90 flood warnings and alerts in Scotland.
       • This made it easier for people to prepare for the storm meaning its effects were not as significant
     • To help the economic loss, the Government announced a £50m repair and renew scheme for Cumbria and Lancashire after the floods, promising businesses and homeowners they will quickly receive the help they need.