York Flood 2000 Sian Tyson

Location Here is a map of York York is bordered by the Pennines, North York Moors and Wolds.

Images Here are a few images from the York Flood Images from

Human Features TThe flooding had increased because of the housing developments on Greenfield sites.  This means that by concreting over the land humans have increased the rate of surface runoff and decreased the saturation levels of the ground. WWhen surface runoff is high rainwater reaches the river faster. It would appear that the speed in which the water reached the river was too fast for the river to handle. Information from

Physical Features TThere was many physical factors to the flood, although the main one was the high rainfall. IIn October 1998 many areas received record amounts of rainfall caused by a hurricane. TThis hurricane brought very heavy rain and strong winds. Information from

Effects The floods caused major disruption to people’s lives. Many people in the areas where the floodwaters hit had to be rescued from their houses. They became trapped or stranded on the top floor of their houses, as the ground floor was flooded with polluted water. Elderly people were particularly vulnerable to becoming trapped. The floods led to at least 12 deaths. The effects of the floods were not solely felt in the urban areas, farmers had to move cattle to higher ground. Thousands of homes were marooned by floodwater, experts estimated the total damage bill could exceed £100 million.