Term
| Where is the source of the River Severn located? |
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Definition
| Plynlimon, Cambrian Mountains, Mid-Wales |
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Term
| Where is the mouth of the River Severn located? |
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Definition
| Bristol channel, flows out into the Atlantic Ocean |
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Term
| How long is the River Severn? |
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Definition
| 354 km long- Longest river in UK |
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Term
| When did the worst floods of the River Severn's history occur? |
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Definition
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Term
| How much rain fell on the day of the floods of the River Severn? |
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Definition
| 2 months worth of rain (135mm) fell in just 14 hours |
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Term
| How did soils influence River Severn flooding? |
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Definition
| Soils were already saturated as a result of heavy persistent rainfall throughout June |
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Term
| How did the geography of the River Severn influence the floods? |
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Definition
| The confluence of the River Avon and River Severn are located just 200metres away from the town of Tewkesbury |
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Term
| How did evaporation rates influence the River Severn floods? |
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Definition
| Low rates of evaporation had been present in the months previously due to low temperatures for the time of year |
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Term
| How did urban development influence the flooding of the River Severn? |
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Definition
| Building on the floodplain at Upton-upon-Severn and at Tewkesbury increased the amount of impermeable surfaces close to the river channel |
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Term
| How did agriculture influence the flood risk of the River Severn? |
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Definition
Conversion of farmland from pasture to arable and clear felling of forestry plantations
Improved drainage of farmland |
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Term
| What do scientists believe could have contributed to the River Severn flooding? |
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Definition
| An increase in freak weather events as a result of climate change , precipitation is believed to have increased by 3-15% |
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Term
| How many families had to be rehomed? |
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Definition
| 850 families had to live in caravans until xmas 2008 |
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Term
| What was the impact on transport infrastructure? |
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Definition
| roads were cut off and badly damaged |
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Term
| How many properties were without power? |
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Definition
| 48,000 without power for 48hrs |
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Term
| How many people were killed? |
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Definition
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Term
| How many people had to be evacuated? |
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Definition
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Term
| How were water services affected? |
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Definition
| 135,000 homes relied on temporary water sources for 17 days |
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Term
| What was the influence on motorists? |
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Definition
| 10,000 motorists were stranded on Gloucestershire's roads and were forced to sleep in their vehicles overnight |
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Term
| What was the total cost of flooding of the River Severn? |
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Definition
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Term
| How many homes and businesses were flooded? |
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Definition
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Term
| What was the impact on farmers? |
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Definition
| Farmers lost an average of £1150 per ha of land flooded |
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Term
| How was demand for water met after the floods? |
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Definition
40 million bottles of drinking water were distributed
1,400 bowsers were deployed |
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Term
| What action did Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service take? |
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Definition
| Attended more than 1000 incidents |
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Term
| How many rescue boats were deployed to the floodplain? |
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Definition
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Term
| How was strategic infrastructure protected? |
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Definition
| High volume pumps were installed |
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Term
| How many sand bags were deployed? |
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Definition
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Term
| What action did military and civil emergency services take? |
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Definition
| Constructed flood barriers to prevent waters from reaching Walham electricity station |
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Term
| How much did Severn Trent spend on flood defences? |
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Definition
| Spent £40 million on flood defences such as temporary barriers and earth embankments |
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Term
| What long term action did the environment agency take? |
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Definition
| Increased capital expenditure budget for flood defences from £600 million to £800 million |
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Term
| What direct action did the government take? |
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Definition
| Provided £87 million of emergency aid for schools, transport and businesses hardest hit by the floods |
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Term
| What was the impact on crops? |
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Definition
| Crops were destroyed and maximum yields were not achieved as a result of rotten roots |
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Term
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Definition
| Sewage entered waterways, contaminating drinking water and polluting rivers with rich species diversity |
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Term
| What was the impact on wildlife? |
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Definition
Scientists believe a number of animals such as snakes and rodents were displaced by the floodwater
Thousands of small animals drowned and fish were left stranded on the floodplain when flood waters receded |
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Term
| Is investment in large flood defence projects seen as sustainable? |
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Definition
| No its seen as unsustainable in the long run |
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Term
| What happened in the winter of 2014 |
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Definition
| Water levels rose to near record levels, the town of Worcester had little issue with flooding as it was well protected by embankments |
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Term
| Why were some areas worse affected than others? |
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Definition
| Those areas not protected experienced even greater discharge and so flood pressure on these areas was even greater |
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