Somerset Levels 2014 Flood Causes

Front

What are the human causes of the Somerset Levels 2014 flood?

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1. Two main rivers, Tone and Parrett, had not been dredged in 20 years, leading to sediment build-up and reduced capacity.

2. Water was redirected from Taunton and Bridgewater to protect new homes on floodplains, increasing water levels and flood risk.

Front

What are the physical causes of the Somerset Levels 2014 flood?

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1. A series of severe storms in December 2013, with the wettest winter in 250 years, resulted in 207mm of rain in January 2014, more than twice the expected total.

2. Low interception levels due to grassland rather than forested areas, and saturated ground from prolonged rainfall, increased surface runoff and flooding.