R - Case study - Boscastle

Question 1

When did it happen?

Answer 1

16th August 2004

Question 2

What were the physical causes of this?

Answer 2

• 50mm of rainfall in 2 hours
• Groundwater was already saturated
• Drainage basin very small 30km2 (+rounded it upper basin)
• Permeable sandstone

Question 3

What were the human causes?

Answer 3

• Low bridges

- Village was developed on a flood plain

Question 4

What were the primary effects of it?

Answer 4

£200,000 needed to rebuild

• 155 cards swept away
• 60 people injured
• 58 properties damaged
• 4 bridges collapsed

Question 5

What were the secondary effects?

Answer 5

• Tourism decreased
• Trauma
• Jobs & businesses lost
• Insurance increased

Question 6

What were the primary responses?

Answer 6

• 150 people air lifted to safety

- 7 helicopters sent to save people

Question 7

What were the secondary responses?

Answer 7

• Water and food supply restored
• Defenses improved (escape routes, car parks moved, depended the river by 10ft)
• Power system renewed
• Was rebuilt
• Shops and businesses opened within 12 months