November 2009

Average annual rainfall is about 2,000 millimetres, reported by the met office Cumbria is a region in North-East England The region has a steep relief including the three highest peaks in England Total population of Cumbria in 2003 was 487,607 people There are only five urban areas North Atlantic Drift which, together with the mountainous landscape, make Cumbria the wettest part of England.

Flooding occurred at the confluence of two rivers near the town of Cockermouth Events took place in November 2009 The two rivers have large amounts of tributaries further upstream This central region is mountainous, 11 lakes and countless streams and rivers which drain out of the uplands

One fatality 1,000 people evacuated 1,700 homes flooded 1,500 homes without power Limited access to schools and hospitals 1,800 bridges declared unsafe £100 million worth of insurance claims 2.5m of flood water left behind Large amounts of soil erosion Farmland left unusable due by debris 12,000 tonnes of gravel spread by the flood

Urbanisation Sewers blocking up was another factor that contributed to the flooding. This happened in Elliot park, Kenswick There is also a large number of bridges in the area Cars being carried by the river caused blockages in the river making it spill over its banks

Met Office forecast that 350 mm of rain was possible in the most exposed locations over high ground In the 24 hours from midnight to midnight on 19 November, Seathwaite in Borrowdale, Cumbria recorded 316 mm of rainfall On the week before the flood there was heavy rainfall which meant the ground was saturated. Another contribution to this speed was the precipitous ground of the Lake District. This kind of airflow is common in the UK during autumn and winter, and is known as a ‘warm conveyor’.

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Flood walls and Barriers Dock gates Restrictions on land used for building Flood warning scheme in place Flood plain areas mainly used for farming

Railway fixed between two halves of Workington:  Temporary station set up  Free shuttle service across river Emergency footbridge Temporary supermarket Surveying of bridges Clean up of houses and businesses

Strengthening and creation of flood defences and bridges Flood protection and warning for the public The public was encouraged to fit:  Door guards  Air brick covers  Non-return valves  Pumps for the inside of properties Flood defence was still continuing in March 2013