cumbria floods 2021 case study

An analysis of the Cumbria floods

Andy Tagg looks at the cause of the floods in Cumbria, and considers how they differ from the 2009 floods and what, if anything, can be done to reduce the impact of future events.

Barely six years after record-breaking rainfall over the Cumbria fells, the north-west area of England has again been subjected to extreme rainfall that has led to widespread flooding, with all the associated disruption and misery that this causes. This time around the physical extent of the flood-affected areas, covering Carlisle, Appleby, Lancaster and the Scottish Borders, would seem to confirm that this has been a very significant flood event. Whilst the improved management measures, introduced after the summer 2007 floods, meant that there was good forecasting of the storm hitting the north-west, with the Environment Agency, local authorities and emergency services ready to respond, the immediate aftermath has seen a series of questions raised over the impact of the storm and whether more could have been done.

The 2009 and 2015 floods compared

An intense rainfall event hit Cumbria in late November 2009, causing a flash flood to run through the towns of Cockermouth and Workington, with the loss of several bridges and the death of a policeman on duty. At Seathwaite the depth of rainfall over a 24 hour period set a new record for the United Kingdom of 316.4 mm, and subsequent reviews indicated that the likely return period was in excess of 1000 years.

The initial data from this weekend’s storm shows that the 2009 record has been broken with 341.4 mm being recorded at the nearby Honister Pass rain gauge. It will be sometime before a detailed analysis is completed, but it seems certain that these two events, whilst of exceptional depths of rainfall, will not be viewed as being so unlikely in the future.

The challenge of analysing extreme rainfall events

Estimates of extreme rainfall or river flow are important for the planning, design and operation of flood defences. But, by their very nature, data on rare events is very limited. This paucity of observed flood flow is a major challenge faced by practitioners when estimating the probability of extreme events. One of the limitations of current approaches, (such as the Flood Estimation Handbook), is that it is currently challenging to include sources of historical information such as flood marks from several centuries ago, anecdotal evidence from eye witnesses, descriptions from historical archives in order to reduce the uncertainty in estimates of extreme water levels.

For example, in many river basins there is often a range of incomplete or ambiguous historical data available relating to extreme flood events. However, owing to the high uncertainty related to these data they are rarely, if ever, used by practitioners to improve the confidence in their estimates of extreme flood flow, because these observations are often considered to be too complex to be easily handled.

HR Wallingford has been carrying out research using advanced statistical techniques to demonstrate how practitioners can use these novel sources of historical information to produce more accurate estimates of extreme flows and water levels. Case studies carried out in catchments in the UK and overseas show that these techniques can significantly reduce uncertainties in the estimates of extremes. This reduces the uncertainties in the design of flood mitigation measures potentially leading to cost savings and a better understanding of their performance during extreme events.

The impact of climate change?

In recent years there have been a number of flood events where very high flood flows have occurred, sometimes covering large areas and affecting major river basins (for example, the Severn and Thames in July 2007) and, at the other extreme, causing localised but severe flooding (such as at Boscastle in 2004). The 2015 flood in Cumbria was caused by very heavy rainfall over a large area, and records for the highest rainfall totals over 24 hour and 48 hour periods were broken.

Scientists are cautious about linking the apparent increase in extreme rainfall events with climate change. However there has been an increase in storminess in recent years and many scientists now accept that climate change is a contributory factor. Advances in climate and hydrological modelling mean that it is now possible to estimate the contribution made by climate change to flood events. In an article in the Guardian on the 11 December, it was reported that researchers at Oxford University and the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) had calculated that climate change had made the flooding event 40 per cent more likely, with the estimate of the increased likelihood ranging between 5 and 80 per cent.

Flood risk management options

As a result of the 2009 flood, a series of flood defences were designed and constructed across Cumbria at a total cost of £45 million, to protect the most vulnerable areas and greatest number of properties. The UK Government reported that defences protected over 8000 homes in the recent flood. However, the December 2015 flooding in Cumbria has affected several areas where flood defences already exist. The magnitude of the floods was so great that the existing defences were overtopped. These defences would have been designed for a particular magnitude of flood, for example, a flood event with an expected annual probability of one per cent (the ‘1 in 100-year’ flood). However these ‘design events’ are likely to occur more frequently in the future, and events that overtop the defences will also be more frequent.

The implications for flood risk management are that different approaches will be needed to reduce flood risk. The traditional approach in many areas is to construct flood walls and embankments in order to contain the flood water. However, as flood flows increase, the flood water levels will increase and therefore the crest levels of the walls and banks would have to be raised. This would result in higher and higher defences which, should they overtop or fail, could lead to catastrophic flooding.

Therefore, rather than construct higher defences, an alternative approach would be to adopt measures that reduce the river flood flows and/or flood levels. The types of measures that could reduce the river level include setting back the defences to allow more space for the flood water, removing obstructions to flood flows, enlarging the river channel, lowering the floodplain level, dredging and the construction of flood relief channels. Measures that reduce the river flow include the storage of flood water upstream in polders on floodplains or reservoirs, or by the use of catchment water retention.

The events in Cumbria during December 2015 are a reminder that even with the best plans and preparations, nature can still throw storm events at us that we are not able to deal with fully. This is the philosophy of flood risk management, that we plan and invest for a certain range of storms, but we cannot cover every eventuality.

We have certainly made progress over the past 15 years in the UK, and we continue to improve our understanding and responses to major flooding events. Given that floods come in all sorts of forms and sizes, it is right a portfolio of measures is used to deal with them. This includes strategic flood defences to protect against the major floods from our rivers and coasts, property-level barriers and doors for those households at risk of surface flooding or as a secondary barrier in the most vulnerable areas. A new British Standard on flood resilient construction methods was produced in November 2015, with the input of HR Wallingford, which can help in reducing the impact of flood water on properties, saving on cleaning and repair costs, and enabling families to return home in a shorter time frame.

Improving the communication of flood risk and resilience options is vital, and the Environment Agency and National Flood Forum are tackling these challenges head on.

Advertise with us
Cumbria Crack app

General Election 2024
Carlisle United
Send us a sport report
What’s on

Flooding in Cumbria: Latest news on roads, rivers and public transport

As the Met Office issues an amber weather warning for Cumbria, and the Environment Agency says flooding is coming our way, the county is battening down the hatches. Stay with us for the latest updates and let us know what’s happening in your neighbourhood.

Email [email protected] with news, photos and video – and please be safe.

For Friday’s updates, please click here

Thursday october 28.

Glenridding Beck level at Glenridding Village is rising but is still within the normal range:

River Cocker level at Scalehill Upper Lorton Valley now falling.

Derwentwater level at Lodore – now stabilising.

River Derwent level at Portinscale now stabilising.

Bassenthwaite Lake level at Castle Howe is rising.

River Derwent level at Ouse Bridge is rising.

River Glenderamackin level at Threlkeld is falling.

River Greta level at Greta Bridge is falling.

River Greta level at Keswick Campsite is stabilising.

Thirlmere Reservoir level at Thirlmere Reservoir (Spillway level = 16.55m) is rising.

St Johns Beck level at Thirlmere is now stabilising.

Ullswater level at Glenridding Steamer Pier is rising.

River Greta level at Riddings Wood is now falling.

Spare a thought for the livestock in the hills…..

Wednesday October 28

This is a screenshot from the live camera monitoring the River Greta in Keswick:

Sandbags have been delivered to Cockermouth Library.

Cockermouth Emergency Response Group said: “We are closely monitoring the river levels and the predictions from the Environment Agency.

“It is a possibility that we will receive a flood warning later this evening although the rivers are now due to peak tomorrow morning.

“The estimate for the Cocker is now 3.35m at 11.30am tomorrow morning and the Derwent estimates have gone down to a peak of 2.84m at 8.30am tomorrow.

“These are both a lot lower than forecast this morning. We continue to work closely with the statutory authorities and monitor these numbers and will let you know if we are concerned. It is just going to depend on how much more rain we have and how much comes off the hills.”

Victoria Court in Cockermouth, run by Castles and Coasts housing association is being evacuated as a precaution.

Latest travel news from across the county

Catbells route – impassable due to fallen tree after Grange.
The B5289 – impassable due to flooding between Grange and Seatoller
Stagecoach services – 77, 77A and 78 buses suspended for the rest of the day
Rydal – The A591 is partially blocked and traffic is queuing due to flooding near the Glen Rothay Hotel
Ambleside – the A593 is badly flooded at Rothay Bridge, near the Rothay Manor Hotel. Lengthy delays are being reported on all approaches
Windermere Car Ferry – not operating due to strong winds
West Coast Mainline – Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express are advising customers to avoid travelling on the line
Northern services – delays between Bootle and Carnforth due to flooding
A591 between Ambleside and Keswick – the road is just passable due to flooding at the bottom of Dunmail Raise
Ambleside – Flooding affecting the A5075 Borrans Road between the Rugby Club and Waterhead. Only 4x4s are getting through
Windermere – Slow traffic on A592 between Newby Bridge and Bowness on Windermere due to patches of flooding. Motorists are advised to approach with care
Windermere – A592 Rayrigg Road affected by flooding. Road reported as only just passable

Reports of flooding and road barely passable on the B5286 at Pull Woods (between Outgate and Clappersgate).

Flooding across the full carriageway on the A591 Ambleside Road (Troutbeck Bridge) outside White Cross Bay. Passable with care.

Very few vehicles now using the A592 Rayrigg Road (Windermere) due to the large flood outside the car garage.

UPDATE: the A593 is now passable with care at Rothay Bridge (near the Rothay Manor Hotel). A vehicle is stuck in the floodwater but vehicles can still pass.

Flooding and vehicle stuck in floodwater on A591 at Bannerigg Farm (between Windermere and Ings).

Four flood warnings and 15 flood alerts in place in Cumbria – cumbriacrack.com

If you are aware of any travel issues that we are not reporting, please let us know by emailing [email protected]

In pictures: The day the floods returned to Cumbria

Nine flood warnings and 15 flood alerts for cumbria, have you read.

Events to mark Grasmere Gingerbread’s 170th anniversary

‘We are watching the death of Windermere’ eco campaigner claims

Lake District campaigners launch nuisance complaint over sewage spills

Today’s mobile speed camera van locations

Mobile speed camera vans in Cumbria today

Netflix drama being filmed in Lake District

Former Barrow pub to go under hammer for £35,000

Barrow pub to be turned into house of multiple occupancy

Summer concert from City of Carlisle Orchestra

Subscribe to our newsletter.

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive daily updates direct to your inbox!

*We hate spam as much as you do. Privacy Statement

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Today's mobile speed camera van locations.

Workington Comets crash to heavy defeat

Boost for Workington Comets this weekend

Barrow bar expansion plans to create up to 38 jobs

New Barrow bars want to sell booze until 5am

Coastguard service must be allowed to respond faster MP

Lake District kayakers get into early hours trouble

Plans to help preserve historic South Lakeland village

Mass fight breaks in centre of Cartmel

33 Middlegate Penrith Cumbria CA11 7SY

Phone: 01768 862313 Email: [email protected]

Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited. No: 12475190 VAT registration number: 343486488

Useful links

Send a sport report
Get our app

Follow us on

Business Crack
Send us a sports report
Terms & Conditions

Flooding Case studies GCSE

Cockermouth, UK – Rich Country (MEDC) Picture Causes: Rain A massive downpour of rain (31.4cm), over a 24-hour period triggered the floods that hit Cockermouth and Workington in Cumbria in November 2009

What caused all the rain? The long downpour was caused by a lengthy flow of warm, moist air that came down from the Azores in the mid-Atlantic. This kind of airflow is common in the UK during autumn and winter, and is known as a ‘warm conveyor’. The warmer the air is, the more moisture it can hold.

What else helped to cause the Cumbrian Floods? · The ground was already saturated, so the additional rain flowed as surface run-off straight into the rivers · The steep slopes of the Cumbrian Mountains helped the water to run very rapidly into the rivers · The rivers Derwent and Cocker were already swollen with previous rainfall · Cockermouth is at the confluence of the Derwent and Cocker (i.e. they meet there)

The effects of the flood · Over 1300 homes were flooded and contaminated with sewage · A number of people had to be evacuated, including 50 by helicopter, when the flooding cut off Cockermouth town centre · Many businesses were flooded causing long-term difficulties for the local economy · People were told that they were unlikely to be able to move back into flood-damaged homes for at least a year. The cost of putting right the damage was an average of £28,000 per house · Insurance companies estimated that the final cost of the flood could reach £100 million · Four bridges collapsed and 12 were closed because of flood damage. In Workington, all the bridges were destroyed or so badly damaged that they were declared unsafe – cutting the town in two. People faced a huge round trip to get from one side of the town to the other, using safe bridges · One man died– PC Bill Barker

Responses to the flood · The government provided £1 million to help with the clean-up and repairs and agreed to pay for road and bridge repairs in Cumbria · The Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund was set up to help victims of the flood. It reached £1 million after just 10 days · Network Rail opened a temporary railway station in Workington The ‘Visit Cumbria’ website provided lists of recovery services and trades, and people who could provide emergency accommodation

Management of future floods at Cockermouth £4.4 million pound management scheme New flood defence walls will halt the spread of the river Funding from Government and local contributors River dredged more regularly to deepen the channel New embankments raise the channel height to reduce the likelihood of extra floods New floodgates at the back of houses in Waterloo street

Pakistan, Asia – Poor Country Picture At the end of July 2010 usually heavy monsoon rains in northwest Pakistan caused rivers to flood and burst their banks. The map below shows the huge area of Pakistan affected by flooding. The floodwater slowly moved down the Indus River towards the sea.

Continuing heavy rain hampered the rescue efforts. After visiting Pakistan, the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, said that this disaster was worse than anything he’d ever seen. He described the floods as a slow-moving tsunami.

The effect of the floods · At least 1600 people died · 20 million Pakistanis were affected (over 10% of the population), 6 million needed food aid · Whole villages were swept away, and over 700,000 homes were damaged or destroyed · Hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis were displaced, and many suffered from malnutrition and a lack of clean water · 5000 miles of roads and railways were washed away, along with 1000 bridges · 160,000km2 of land were affected. That’s at least 20% of the country · About 6.5 million acres of crops were washed away in Punjab and Sindh provinces

The responses to the floods · Appeals were immediately launched by international organisation, like the UK’s Disasters Emergency Committee – and the UN – to help Pakistanis hit by the floods · Many charities and aid agencies provided help, including the Red Crescent and Medecins Sans Frontieres · Pakistan’s government also tried to raise money to help the huge number of people affected · But there were complaints that the Pakistan government was slow to respond to the crisis, and that it struggled to cope · Foreign Governments donated millions of dollars, and Saudi Arabia and the USA promised $600 million in flood aid. But many people felt that the richer foreign governments didn’t do enough to help · The UN’s World Food Programme provided crucial food aid. But, by November 2010, they were warning that they might have cut the amount of food handed out, because of a lack of donations from richer countries

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Responding to the Cumbria floods

Cumbria has seen floods in 2005 and 2009 but nothing like it in 2015. Lives were lost, thousands of homes wrecked, and businesses destroyed.

In all, more than 5,500 homes and 1,000 businesses were flooded; thousands of people were left homeless. For some, it was the third or fourth time they had seen their homes devastated by flood water in a decade.

There was always one thing stronger than the flood waters – the spirit of Cumbria which again showed our county at its most resilient and compassionate best in a time of extreme need.

It was a spirit that drove people together to do anything they could to help those flooded out of their homes. Volunteers appeared from every direction to donate food, clothes and other essentials, and others gave their time to help start the clean-up operation.

Their example and the thousands of pictures and videos circulating on social media inspired people further afield to offer their help. Supermarkets provided food, faith groups visited Cumbria with donations, and ordinary people just filled up their cars with shopping and drove halfway up the country to give it to Cumbrians in need.

We launched the Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal before the rains of Storm Desmond had even stopped: this tells its own story about the extraordinary outpouring of generosity which did so much to help the county recover from the worst flood in living memory.

Within days, the appeal had surged past its original target of £1m and went on to distribute almost £10m (thanks to match funding from the Government) with more than £7.2m given to flooded families and a further £2.6m to community groups.

The appeal helped people with practical, financial and emotional support, and it also helped residents and communities to develop resilience schemes which will assist future flood defence and recovery. Many people are still suffering from stress and anxiety about the prospect of flooding in the future.

The appeal was audited to evaluate its impact and statistics were produced to show how it had supported residents, community groups and businesses in their hour of need.

One comment made to the researchers captures the importance of the appeal: “Without the grant, I would have been homeless and housed in temporary accommodation unsuitable for my disability for months. Cumbria Community Foundation made me feel human.”

Privacy Overview

Trustees & Ambassadors
Our Fundholders
Barrow Community Trust
Publications
Accounts & Policies
DEI Benchmarking
Virtual Coast to Coast Challenge FAQs
Virtual Coast to Coast Challenge Fundraising Guide
Individual & Families
Charitable Trusts
Professional Advisers
Corporate Membership
Voluntary Organisation Membership
Better Tomorrows
How it works
Am I Eligible
How to Apply
Safeguarding
Measuring Impact
Bedrock Awards
Bedrock Basics
Bedrock Digital
Together for Good
Family Wellbeing
Financial Wellbeing
Positive Enterprise
West Cumbria Mental Health Partnership
Case Studies
Keeping Warm and Safe
DOUBLE your donation
Cumbria Revealed
West Cumbria Opportunities and Challenges
Furness Opportunities and Challenges
Emerging Needs
Cumbria Club
Grant Stories
Newsletters

The site is down for essential maintenance. We expect the site to be back online on Friday 28th January 2022

Sep 7, 2021

Case Study - Cumbrian Floods

In December 2015 Storm Desmond caused devastating flooding in Cockermouth and the surrounding area, including Keswick, Appleby and Kendal.

With whole families being re-housed in alternative accommodation it was imperative to act quickly and efficiently to provide the right solutions. Managing teams and co-ordinating operations in multiple areas simultaneously enabled vital restoration works.

Homes within a housing association in Cockermouth were particularly affected, with 36 properties dried over a 5 week period. A quick response providing vital mitigating works was instrumental in saving the fabric of the buildings reducing significant costs on unnecessary restorative works.

Further domestic properties and commercial outlets were also being dealt with accordingly. Effective communication ensured the right solution was provided for the customer and the home owners. Depending on the situation hygiene works, enabling works along with the appropriate drying works were implemented. The correct drying equipment was installed depending on the nature / scale of the ingress of water along with the secondary water damage evident.

Overall the solutions provided helped home / business owners to return to their properties as soon as possible. Disruption was always kept to a minimum with a respect to the policy holders. The essential claim cycle times and associated costs were significantly reduced.

At Seco Solutions we are passionate about dealing with the problem quickly, effectively and professionally. If we can help you, please get in touch.

Case Studies

Find Study Materials for

Explanations
Business Studies
Combined Science
Engineering
English Literature
Environmental Science
Human Geography
Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
Social Studies
Browse all subjects
Read our Magazine

Create Study Materials

Flashcards Create and find the best flashcards.
Notes Create notes faster than ever before.
Study Sets Everything you need for your studies in one place.
Study Plans Stop procrastinating with our smart planner features.
Flood in Cumbria

Dive into an in-depth exploration of the notable Flood in Cumbria. This detailed guide unpicks the causes, impacts, and long-term implications of multiple flooding events, drawing particular attention to the 2009 and 2015 occurrences. You'll unearth key facts about floods in this region, dig into the role of defence mechanisms, and study both the positive and negative aftermath. Our hope is to not only provide information about past incidents but also to equip you with understanding to better face potential future incidents.

Create learning materials about Flood in Cumbria with our free learning app!

Instand access to millions of learning materials
Flashcards, notes, mock-exams and more
Everything you need to ace your exams
Challenges In The Human Environment
Changing Economic World
Coasts Geography
Diverse Places
Dynamic Landscapes
Energy Security
Glaciated Landscapes
Global Resource Management
Globalisation
Health And Human Rights
Living With The Physical Environment
Climatic Hazards
Cyclone Nargis
Earthquake Hazard Management
Evidence for Climate Change
Global Atmospheric Circulation
Hurricane Katrina
Managing Climate Change
Monitoring Volcanoes
Somerset Floods
Thunder Storms
Tropical Storm Management
Tropical Storms
Typhoon Haiyan
Weather Fronts
Weather Hazards in the UK
Living World
Migration and Identity
Regenerating Places
River Landscapes
Superpowers of the World
Sustainable Urban Development
Water Cycle

Understanding the Flood in Cumbria

Located in North West England, Cumbria is a predominantly rural county which is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty. With picturesque landscapes, the region is not a stranger to the extremes of nature, often suffering from severe floods . To comprehend these natural disasters , it becomes paramount to thoroughly understand the geographic and meteorological aspects behind them.

Flooding is an overflow of large amounts of water beyond its normal confines, typically over what is dry land. The resulting water damage can devastate communities, destroying homes, businesses, and leading to loss of life.

Review of the 2009 Floods in Cumbria

November 2009 saw Cumbria grappling with the worst floods in its history. The event marked the highest level of rainfall ever recorded in the UK over a 24-hour period - 314.4mm. This particular flood led to the unfortunate loss of a police officer and caused extensive property damage.

In the small town of Cockermouth, the water level in the River Derwent rose so dramatically that it swept away the Northside Bridge. The destruction of infrastructure led to significant isolation for local communities and took months to rebuild.

During the 2009 flood, Cumbria's infrastructure was left in ruins, with more than 1,300 homes affected. The utility services were stretched beyond their limits, with road closures and power outages being reported all across the county.

Key Causes of Flooding in Cumbria

It's important to grasp the main factors contributing to floods in Cumbria. Predominantly, these include heavy rainfall, topography, soil conditions, and human intervention.

Heavy rainfall: The geography of Cumbria means that it often falls victim to severe Atlantic weather systems.
Topography: The steep slopes and valleys of the Lake District mean water flows quickly into river systems.
Soil conditions: The often saturated ground cannot absorb much additional water.
Human intervention: Urbanisation can lead to greater surface run-off and therefore boost flood risk.

Top Facts about Flooding in Cumbria

In order to recap and summarise, here are some riveting facts about flooding in Cumbria:

The town of Seathwaite recorded the highest rainfall in the UK over 24 hours in 2009.

Notably, the 2009 floods were dubbed a 'one in 1,000-year event'.

Cumbria floods have frequently led to community isolation due to infrastructure damage.

Impact of Flooding on the Physical Environment in Cumbria

When discussing the impact of flooding in Cumbria, it’s hard to overlook its drastic effects on the county’s physical environment. With an extensive network of rivers, picturesque valleys, and abundant wildlife, the physical environment in Cumbria is intensely susceptible to the aftermath of flooding.

The physical environment refers to the natural landscape, including physical and geographical features such as rivers, mountains, vegetation, wildlife and climate.

The Role of Flood Defences in Cumbria

Given the regularity and magnitude of floods in Cumbria, effective flood defences play a crucial role in managing and mitigating their impact. These structures and systems are designed to control the flow and size of rising water, reducing its damaging effects.

A prominent flood defence system in Cumbria is the Keswick flood alleviation scheme. This structure, which includes a combination of raised embankments and wall defences, was developed to protect the town from the River Greta's swelling waters.

Flood defences have a multifaceted role:

They reduce the vulnerability of settlements and infrastructure to floods.
They decrease the likelihood of human casualties.
They curtail the financial loss caused by property and agricultural damage.

Although highly beneficial, flood defences aren't perfect solutions. They can sometimes simply displace the problem downstream. In addition, highly engineered structures can have significant environmental impacts, altering habitats and disrupting wildlife.

Analysing the Impact of Flooding in Cumbria on Environment

Examining the effect of flooding on the environment in Cumbria helps understand not just the immediate, but also the long-term changes it brings about. These can range from landscape alteration and soil erosion to adverse effects on wildlife habitats.

An outline of environmental impact:

Landscape alteration: Flooding can cause dramatic changes in the local landscape due to the force of water and movement of debris.
Soil erosion: Strong floods can strip fertile topsoil layer, leading to poor soil quality and affecting local agriculture.
Wildlife disruption: The sudden surge of water can destroy habitats, leading to the displacement or death of local wildlife species.

In-depth Study of the Cumbria Floods 2015

December 2015 bore witness to another catastrophic flood event in Cumbria. Named 'Storm Desmond', this event was characterised by relentless rainfall that led to severe flooding.

Storm Desmond was a vigorous extratropical cyclone and the fourth named storm of the 2015–16 UK and Ireland windstorm season. It brought record amounts of rainfall primarily to regions of northern England.

The event led to widespread flooding across Cumbria, particularly affecting regions Carlisle, Keswick, and Appleby.

A staggering 341.4mm of rainfall was recorded within 24 hours.

The floodwaters led to substantial damage, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes.

Storm Desmond had stern repercussions, including power cuts that affected tens of thousands of homes, widespread disruption to transport, and extensive damage to infrastructure. Furthermore, rare historic artefacts stored in the basement of Carlisle's Castle Museum were severely damaged by the floodwaters.

After Effects and Transformation Post Cumbria Floods

The aftermath of the Cumbria floods extends beyond immediate property damage and displacement of residents. Lasting changes in infrastructure, the local environment, and community resilience define the legacy of these natural disasters . Understanding the scale and nature of these transformations provides crucial insights into adapting and preparing for future flooding events.

Understanding the Cumbria Floods 2015 and its After-Effects

December 2015's Storm Desmond will be remembered as one of the most destructive flood events in Cumbria's history. However, to fully comprehend its long-lasting effects, it's important to delve deep into the transformations brought forth from the floodwaters.

After-effects of a flood refer to the consequences, both immediate and long-term, that are experienced by natural and human systems once floodwaters have receded. This can encompass changes to the physical environment, economic loss, infrastructure damage, and community trauma.

The 2015 Cumbria floods made an indelible mark:

The flood led to widespread property damage, which required extensive reconstruction in its wake.
Local infrastructure suffered, with many roads and bridges destroyed or severely damaged, requiring months to years for complete restoration.
Significant environmental impact was seen in the form of eroded soils and compromised wildlife habitats.

The Long-Term Implications of the Cumbria Floods 2015

The floods of 2015 had far-reaching implications for Cumbria, impacting not just the environment and infrastructure, but also the region's economy and community dynamics.

Long-term implications of a flood event extend beyond immediate damage to property or resources. They include ongoing economic hardship, changes in land use, changes in community structure, and influencing future policy concerning flood defence and management.

Here are some of the significant long-term effects of the 2015 Cumbria floods:

Communities were significantly affected with many residents wrestling with the psychological trauma of the event long after the waters subsided.
The floods' economic toll was significant, with enormous costs associated with repairs, insurance payouts, and loss of business.
Policy change and increased investment around flood defences and flood prevention strategies have become more prominent.

The 2015 Cumbria floods urged a recalibration of flood management strategies. Significant resources were directed towards better understanding the local topography, climate, urban development, and infrastructure – insights that are now guiding how Cumbria prepares for and responds to catastrophic flood events.

Positive and Negative Impacts of Cumbria Floods

The aftermath of Cumbria's floods presented both challenges and opportunities, encapsulating both the harsh reality of natural disasters as well as the resilience of the affected communities.

The positive impact of a flood sounds counterintuitive but can contribute to community solidarity, generation of employment in the reconstruction phase, and improvements in flood defences for future events. In contrast, the negative impacts are widely known, such as damage to property, loss of life, psychological trauma, and economic hardship.

Negative Impacts: Major repercussions such as damage to homes, personal injury, psychological trauma, financial hardship, environmental degradation and community displacement rank among the negative impacts.
Positive Impacts: On the brighter side, floods also sparked community solidarity, increased employment in reconstruction, and improved flood defences and preparedness for future events.

Flood In Cumbria - Key takeaways

Flooding in Cumbria refers to the overflow of large amounts of water beyond normal confines, often causing devastation to communities, infrastructure, and leading to loss of life.
Key causes of flooding in Cumbria include heavy rainfall, topography, soil conditions, and human intervention, often leading to significant destruction and isolation of communities. The 2009 floods were notably damaging.
The impact of flooding on the physical environment entails dramatic landscape changes, soil erosion, and disruption to wildlife habitats. Flood defences in Cumbria aim minimize this impact, though they can also cause environmental disruptions.
The Cumbria floods in 2015, initiated by 'Storm Desmond', led to widespread flooding and significant damage in the region, affecting communities, infrastructure, and the environment.
The aftermath of Cumbria floods has both positive and negative impacts, encompassing property damage, community trauma, economic hardship, as well as improved community resilience, increased employment in reconstruction, and advancements in flood defences and preparedness.

Flashcards in Flood in Cumbria 14

_____ rain fell during the November 2009 f loods

Name 2 responses to the Cumbria 2009 floods

Flood defenses were installed, early warning systems or river dredging

What is the definition of flooding?

Flooding is an overflow of large amounts of water beyond its normal confines, commonly affecting areas of dry land. It can cause extensive damage to communities, destroying homes and businesses, and potentially leading to loss of life.

What were the impacts of the 2009 floods in Cumbria?

The 2009 floods in Cumbria resulted in the loss of a police officer, extensive property damage and more than 1,300 homes were affected. The infrastructure, including bridges, was ruined, leading to significant community isolation.

What are the main causes of flooding in Cumbria?

The main causes of flooding in Cumbria include heavy rainfall, topography, soil conditions and human intervention, such as urbanisation.

What was significant about the rainfall in the town of Seathwaite in 2009?

In 2009, the town of Seathwaite in Cumbria recorded the highest rainfall in the UK over a 24-hour period.

Learn with 14 Flood in Cumbria flashcards in the free StudySmarter app

We have 14,000 flashcards about Dynamic Landscapes.

Already have an account? Log in

Frequently Asked Questions about Flood in Cumbria

When were the Cumbria floods?

The Cumbria floods occurred in both November 2009 and December 2015

How were the Cumbria floods managed?

The floods were managed in various ways such as implementing a flood management strategy, flood defences such as a self-closing river barrier, river dredging, and early warning systems.

Why is Cumbria prone to flooding?

Cumbria is prone to flooding due to the location of towns such as Cockermouth at the confluence of the Derwent and Cocker rivers. The area is also prone to storms and intense rainfall, with flooding events expected to become more frequent in the future due to climate change.

Why did the Cumbria floods in 2009 happen?

As a result of a deep depression which was formed in the Atlantic Ocean, warm air rose over the Cumbrian mountains and fell as relief rainfall. This heavy rainfall fell into the Derwent and Cocker rivers, with the rivers bursting their banks resulting in flooding.

What were the effects of the flood in Cumbria in 2015?

The 2015 floods were one of the worst and most destructive floods in the UK, with 7,465 properties flooded, transport disrupted, and water polluted to name some of the impacts. The floods were also estimated to have cost £500 million in damage.

Test your knowledge with multiple choice flashcards

_____ rain fell during the November 2009 floods

Join the StudySmarter App and learn efficiently with millions of flashcards and more!

Keep learning, you are doing great.

Discover learning materials with the free StudySmarter app

About StudySmarter

StudySmarter is a globally recognized educational technology company, offering a holistic learning platform designed for students of all ages and educational levels. Our platform provides learning support for a wide range of subjects, including STEM, Social Sciences, and Languages and also helps students to successfully master various tests and exams worldwide, such as GCSE, A Level, SAT, ACT, Abitur, and more. We offer an extensive library of learning materials, including interactive flashcards, comprehensive textbook solutions, and detailed explanations. The cutting-edge technology and tools we provide help students create their own learning materials. StudySmarter’s content is not only expert-verified but also regularly updated to ensure accuracy and relevance.

StudySmarter Editorial Team

Team Geography Teachers

9 minutes reading time
Checked by StudySmarter Editorial Team

Study anywhere. Anytime.Across all devices.

Create a free account to save this explanation..

Save explanations to your personalised space and access them anytime, anywhere!

By signing up, you agree to the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy of StudySmarter.

Join over 22 million students in learning with our StudySmarter App

The first learning app that truly has everything you need to ace your exams in one place

Flashcards & Quizzes
AI Study Assistant
Study Planner
Smart Note-Taking

Join over 22 million students in learning with our StudySmarter App

Get unlimited access with a free StudySmarter account.

Instant access to millions of learning materials.
Flashcards, notes, mock-exams, AI tools and more.
Everything you need to ace your exams.

IMAGES

Case Study: Cumbria Floods
Cumbria floods case study
PPT
PPT
PPT
PPT

COMMENTS

Flooding case study
Flooding case study - Cumbria, 2021. Cumbria is in North West England. It is the third largest English county by area and is largely rural. Severe flooding took place in 2009 and 2015. The 2015 ...
Cumbria: Flood defences protected hundreds of homes
Flood defences helped prevent worse damage from the heavy rain which caused disruption across Cumbria a week ago, the Environment Agency has said. A total of 43 properties were flooded when more ...
Case study
GCSE; Edexcel; Human management of rivers - Edexcel Case study - flooding in Cumbria, October 2021. Hard engineering management involves using artificial structures, such as dams and embankments.
An analysis of the Cumbria floods
The 2015 flood in Cumbria was caused by very heavy rainfall over a large area, and records for the highest rainfall totals over 24 hour and 48 hour periods were broken. Scientists are cautious about linking the apparent increase in extreme rainfall events with climate change. However there has been an increase in storminess in recent years and ...
PDF Management (Nfm) Case Study: West Cumbria Rivers Trust Natural Flood
WEST CUMBRIA RIVERS TRUST NATURAL FLOOD. MANAGEMENT (NFM) CASE STUDY: T H R E L K E L D H A L L F A R M F L O O D P L A I N B U N D. ABOUT THE PROJECT. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS. Map showing the project area. Topographical survey: £720. Construction cost for kested. hedge, bund and ponds: £8,319.
PDF Management (Nfm) Case Study: West Cumbria Rivers Trust Natural Flood
WEST CUMBRIA RIVERS TRUST NATURAL FLOOD. MANAGEMENT (NFM) CASE STUDY: R O W E N D W A T E R S T O R A G E A R EA. ABOUT THE PROJECT. DESIGN ND CONSTRUCTION. METHODS. This project was delivered by West Cumbria Rivers Trust as. part of their DEFRA funded Glenderamackin Natural Flood. Management (NFM) Project, in partnership with the
PDF Management (Nfm) Case Study: West Cumbria Rivers Trust Natural Flood
WEST CUMBRIA RIVERS TRUST NATURAL FLOOD. MANAGEMENT (NFM) CASE STUDY: L O N S C A L E G U L L Y E R O S IO N S T A B I L I S A T I O N. P R O J E C T. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ... Photos showing the before photos in the gully. Images: West Cumbria Rivers Trust: After - Photos showing the gullies afterwards with trees installed, bed check weirs ...
PDF Cumbria Flood Action Plan
Invest a total of up to £72 million in Cumbria to provide better protection from flooding to at least 4,300 homes by 2021. Restore 350 hectares of peatland to hold water upstream for longer at several sites in the headwaters of the Eden, Derwent and Kent and Leven catchments.
Homes and businesses flooded after 11 inches of rain
Thursday 28 October 2021, 4:45pm. Properties have been flooded in Egremont, Cockermouth, Cleator and Borrowdale after more than 11 inches of rain fell on the county. Credit: PA Images. Homes have ...
Flooding in Cumbria: Latest news on roads, rivers and public transport
5.55pm. A flood warning has been issued for Ullswater and River Eamont at Pooley Bridge, Ullswater Steamer Pier to B5320 Bridge. It says: "River and lake levels have risen at the Pooley Bridge ...
Cumbria weather: Homes flooded and travel disrupted
29 October 2021. Share. close panel. Share page. Copy link. About sharing. Image source, PA Media. ... Stewart Mounsey, the Environment Agency's flood risk manager for Cumbria said: "We expect ...
Met Office warns of 'life threatening' flooding in parts of Cumbria
The Environment Agency in Cumbria said the Central Lake District has seen more than 12 inches of rain over the last 24 hours and "urged people to be prepared and ready to act". 16 flood alerts and ...
Flooding Case studies GCSE
He described the floods as a slow-moving tsunami. The effect of the floods. · At least 1600 people died. · 20 million Pakistanis were affected (over 10% of the population), 6 million needed food aid. · Whole villages were swept away, and over 700,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.
Responding to the Cumbria floods
Cumbria has seen floods in 2005 and 2009 but nothing like it in 2015. Lives were lost, thousands of homes wrecked, and businesses destroyed. In all, more than 5,500 homes and 1,000 businesses were flooded; thousands of people were left homeless. For some, it was the third or fourth time they had seen their homes devastated by flood water in a ...
Cumbria
This BBC Sounds episode looks at the flooding in Kendal, Cumbria in February 2020 and discusses flood defences, ... To read the case study on the delivery of the Environment Agency's Flood Warning Service expansion project, ... 26th to 29th October 2021; Flood construction works complete at Natland Road and Romney Gardens in Kendal;
Case Study
Sep 7, 2021; 1 min read; Case Study - Cumbrian Floods . In December 2015 Storm Desmond caused devastating flooding in Cockermouth and the surrounding area, including Keswick, Appleby and Kendal. With whole families being re-housed in alternative accommodation it was imperative to act quickly and efficiently to provide the right solutions ...
Flood in Cumbria: 2009, 2015 & Impacts
Dive into an in-depth exploration of the notable Flood in Cumbria. This detailed guide unpicks the causes, impacts, and long-term implications of multiple flooding events, drawing particular attention to the 2009 and 2015 occurrences. You'll unearth key facts about floods in this region, dig into the role of defence mechanisms, and study both the positive and negative aftermath.
Flooding in Cumbria: Clear-up begins as rain continues
The clear-up has begun in Cumbria after some 40 homes were flooded due to torrential rain. Honister Pass saw more than 30cm (12in) in a 24-hour period, with roads blocked and rail services ...
Flooding "expected" as Cumbria warnings remain in force
Flooding expected as warnings remain in force. Three flood warnings remain in place in Cumbria after severe weather disrupted transport and cut power supplies. Heavy rain caused by Storm Gerrit ...
PDF Case study: Cumbria
In November 2009 Cockermouth and its surrounding communities suffered extensive flooding, with 31.4cm of rain falling in 24hours, the highest recorded amount in the UK. This fell on already heavily saturated ground and the rivers could not cope with the sheer volume of water flowing into them. One person died and over 900 properties were flooded.