How long did the 2008 Morpeth flood last?
A flood which hit 1,000 homes and businesses in a Northumberland town is being remembered 10 years on. About 250 people were cared for in rest centres and temporary accommodation when two months’ rain fell in Morpeth in 24 hours in September 2008.
Why did Morpeth flood?
at 1332 BST on 6 September 2008. The 2008 Morpeth flood occurred on Saturday 6 September 2008 in Morpeth, a town in Northumberland, northeastern England, when, following sustained heavy rainfall during the previous twenty-four hours, the River Wansbeck burst its banks and overwhelmed the town’s flood defences.
When did Morpeth flood?
6 September, 2008
There will also be poetry and music. Emergency services declared a major incident and 180 firefighters were called into action when the River Wansbeck overflowed on the afternoon of Saturday 6 September, 2008.
Does it flood in Morpeth?
Many parts of Morpeth are already protected from a flood which has a one in 50 chance of happening in the town in any given year, the agency said. The new walls would be built in areas such as High Stanners and Mitford Road, which are currently undefended.
Is Channel straightening expensive?
Channel Straightening: Removing meanders from a river to make the river straighter. Advantages: By removing meanders the velocity of the water through a settlement will increase. This will stop a backlog of water and should reduce the risk of flooding. Again it is expensive and may cause flooding problems downstream.
Why do places flood?
A flood occurs when water inundates land that’s normally dry, which can happen in a multitude of ways. Excessive rain, a ruptured dam or levee, rapid melting of snow or ice, or even an unfortunately placed beaver dam can overwhelm a river, spreading over the adjacent land, called a floodplain.
How do embankments stop flooding?
Embankments. This involves building up the banks of the river. This could be by creating levees or building walls. The river channel can hold more water which reduces the risk of flooding.
Are embankments Soft Engineering?
Examples of hard engineering strategies include artificial embankments or levees, channelisation, diversion spillways and dredging. These are larger than natural levees and are usually made of erosion-resistant concrete. They allow more water to flow in the river at a greater height so flood risk is reduced.
Where is flooding most common?
Where Do Floods Occur? River floodplains and coastal areas are the most susceptible to flooding, however, it is possible for flooding to occur in areas with unusually long periods of heavy rainfall. Bangladesh is the most flood prone area in the world.
How fast can a flash flood happen?
Flash floods occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall, a dam or levee failure, or a sudden release of water held by an ice jam. Flash floods can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings and bridges, and scour out new channels. Rapidly rising water can reach heights of 30 feet or more.
Are embankments hard engineering?
What is SOF engineering?
Soft engineering does not involve building artificial structures, but takes a more sustainable and natural approach to managing the coast. Each strategy has its advantages and disadvantages for use.
Why was Morpeth flood defence project so important?
A multi-million pound flood defence scheme to protect a Northumberland market town has been completed. The £27m project was designed to reduce the risk of flooding in Morpeth, which has been one of the worst hit areas in the region.
What was the name of the river that flooded Morpeth?
It was a day which was to prove memorable not just for Eddie, but for hundreds of families in the Northumberland town of Morpeth. By the end of the day, much of the town was under water, after the river Wansbeck burst its banks following hours of heavy rain.
Why was Cotting Burn Dam built in Morpeth?
The £27m project was designed to reduce the risk of flooding in Morpeth, which has been one of the worst hit areas in the region. The flood alleviation scheme, which can store millions of gallons of flood water upstream, will protect about 1,000 homes. Work to build the Cotting Burn dam – the final part of the project – has now been completed.
Where was the worst flooding in the UK?
Storms drenched parts of north-east England, Herefordshire, Yorkshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire. Six people were killed. Worst affected the town of Morpeth, in Northumberland, where 400 residents were evacuated and 1,000 properties damaged by floodwater.
