Does Somerset have a history of flooding?
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Does Somerset have a history of flooding?
Background to the Somerset Levels and Moors Century, land reclamation started but frequent flooding was common. Over the 15th – 17th centuries rudimentary land drainage activity occurred, largely in a piecemeal way.
What was the cause of the Somerset flooding?
The extensive floods were caused by a combination of human and physical factors: • A prolonged period of extremely wet weather – in southern England it was the wettest January since records began in 1910 – saturated the ground and led to frequent over-topping of the rivers Tone and Parrett creating a huge lake covering …
When was the last time Somerset flooded?
2013-14
Large parts of the Somerset Levels spent much of the winter of 2013-14 under water. Villages were isolated, homes evacuated, the farming community in disarray and the bad weather relentless.
Did Somerset used to be underwater?
Thousands of years ago the area was covered by the sea, but today it’s a landscape of rivers and wetlands – artificially drained, irrigated and modified to allow productive farming.
Which areas of Somerset are prone to flooding?
The areas predominantly at risk of flooding include the Levels and Moors, Taunton, Bridgwater, Ilchester and Bruton. In addition, Minehead and the coastal area covering the River Parrett Estuary, Brean, Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge would be affected in the event of coastal flooding.
Which year did the Somerset Levels flood?
In early 2014 the Somerset Levels and Moors experienced widespread flooding, particularly within the Parrett and Tone river catchments. The Environment Agency estimated there were 100 million cubic metres of floodwater covering an area of 65 square kilometres.
What were the effects of the Somerset flood?
Residents transported by boat. Power supplieswere cut off in areas. People’s livelihoods and lifestyles were severely disruptedby the floods, e.g. shopping, going to work, going to school. Some villages, such as Moorland and Muchelney were completely cut off and left people stranded.
Where did it flood in Somerset?
How was Somerset drained?
The main drainage outlets flowing through the Moors and Levels are the rivers Axe, Brue, Huntspill, Parrett, Tone, and Yeo, together with the King’s Sedgemoor Drain, an artificial channel into which the River Cary now runs.
How were the Somerset floods managed?
They issued sandbags and distributed food. They were later joined by 40 Royal Marines to provide additional support. Sixty-five pumps were used to drain 65 million m3 of floodwater. Local people, led by the Flooding on the Levels Action Group (FLAG), provided local support to the people affected.
When were the Somerset Levels underwater?
The Somerset Levels was devastated by severe flooding in the winter of 2013-14, leading to a number of villages and rural settlements being cut off as one of the most picturesque areas of the county was plunged underwater.
What were the physical and human causes of the Somerset Levels flood?
A quick succession of prolonged Atlantic storms, with persistent rainfall and gale-force winds, was the primary cause of flooding. The rivers could not cope with the significant amount of rain that fell. Additionally, high tides in the Bristol Channel and its narrowing create tidal surges.
How did they drain the Somerset Levels?
The Sowy River between the River Parrett and King’s Sedgemoor Drain was completed in 1972. The Levels and Moors are now artificially drained by a network of rhynes which are pumped up into “drains”.
How much did the Somerset floods cost the county?
The Somerset floods cost the county’s tourism industry an estimated £200 million. Soil was damaged after being underwater for nearly three months. In some areas, it took over two years to restore the soil before crops could be grown. Insurance costs increased in flood-hit areas of Somerset.
What is happening to the Somerset Levels?
The Somerset Levels Flood Case Study The Somerset Levels are a coastal plain and wetland area of Somerset, England. Thousands of years ago the area was covered by the sea, but today it’s a landscape of rivers and wetlands – artificially drained, irrigated and modified to allow productive farming.
What are the physical features of Somerset?
The area is very flat and has a maximum altitude of 8m above sea level. All rivers in this area, including Axe, Sheppey and Brue, are in the north, while to the south, the rivers are the Cary, Yeo, Tone and Parrett drain into the Bristol Channel. In January 2014, the Somerset Levels experienced floods greater than any other in living memory.
What is the Somerset Levels and Moors action plan?
As a result, the Somerset Levels and Moors Action Plan was developed and included measures such as reintroducing dredging, the construction of a tidal barrage and additional permanent pumping stations. The scheme is part of a 20-year plan for the Somerset Levels and will total £100 million.
