Boscastle Flooding Scenario

Welcome to Boscastle:
A Coastal Village
with Hidden
Dangers

By Mr Peet

Nestled on the rugged north coast of Cornwall, Boscastle is a picturesque fishing village famous for its narrow harbour, dramatic cliffs, and stunning natural beauty. Surrounded by the steep valleys at the convergance of the Valency, Jordan and Paradise rivers, the village attracts thousands of visitors each year who come to explore its coastal paths, local shops, and historic buildings.

Despite its charm, Boscastle is also an example of how natural landscapes can turn dangerous. The steep valley slopes, thin soils, and converging rivers make it vulnerable to sudden flooding.

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Boscastle, an introduction

Multiple Choice

What part of the United Kingdom is Cornwall found?

• South East

• South West

• East

• North West

Multiple Choice

What is the point called where two rivers meet?

• Tributary

• Estuary

• Floodplain

• Confluence

In August 2004, Boscastle faced a powerful flood that caused widespread damage, leading to major changes in how the area is managed.

In this game, you’ll be the area manager for the Environment Agency. It is a big and important role making key decisions before, during, and after the flood to help protect Boscastle and its community. Use your OS map skills, flood knowledge, and logic to shape the village’s future.

​

​Scenario 1
July 16th 2004
One month before the flood

Multiple Choice

You are a manager for the environment agency tasked to help reduce the impacts of flooding.

Heavy rain has saturated the ground.

What do you do?

• Increase the monitoring of river levels

• Do nothing - This is normal for the UK

• Clear all roadside drains immediately, at huge cost and inconvenience.

​Scenario 2
August 19th 2004
One week before the flood

Multiple Choice

A local farmer has started to remove trees from areas further upstream. What do you do?

• Plant more trees further downstream

• Help the farmer to remove the trees quickly

• Try to persuade the farmer to keep the remaining trees in place

• Leave the ground bare

​Scenario 3
16th August 10:00 AM

Multiple Choice

The weather forecast shows possible heavy, slow moving storms to the south of Boscastle.

What do you do?

• Warn residents and businesses

• Wait for an accurate update from the weather station

• Start to prepare flood defences such as sandbags

​Scenario 4
16th August 11:15 AM

Multiple Choice

The river in the Jordan Valley is rising rapidly. What 4 figure OS grid reference should you give for this location?

• 9091

• 1091

• 1090

• 0990

Multiple Choice

You’ve received updated readings from two tributaries — the River Jordan and River Paradise — both of which are rising rapidly due to the intense rainfall. As the Environment Agency flood risk manager, it’s your responsibility to act swiftly to minimise damage and protect life.

• Send out a Flood Alert and keep checking the river levels more often. Get ready in case things get worse.

• Wait to see if rainfall eases before making any decisions — it might pass quickly.

• Send staff to place sandbags near the lower parts of the village, even if residents haven’t been warned yet.

• Call local emergency services to evacuate immediately, even though no formal warning has been issued yet.

​Scenario 5
16th August 12:30 PM

Multiple Choice

Rain intensity increases and roads begin to flood.

The emergency services are looking to you to make a decision on what to do next

• Monitor traffic issues from one central location

• Send fire crews to areas immediatley

• Close all roads in and out of Boscastle immediately

​Scenario 6
16th August 2:00 PM

Multiple Choice

🛶 Water levels overtop bridges, debris accumulates.
Decision:

• A) Remove debris from bridges (high risk to those carrying out this task)

• B) Evacuate buildings near river

• C) Wait for water to subside (this may only take a few hours)

​Scenario 7
16th August 3:30 PM

Multiple Choice

Water levels are now higher than ever before. Your have made the decision to call in the helicopter to rescue villagers who have been stranded at the bottom of the valley. What location do you send the helicopter first?

• A

• B

• C

​Scenario 8
17th August 08:00 AM

Multiple Choice

The day after the floods. You and your team have worked through the night. There is major damage to property, but ZERO deaths. As the Environment Agency Manager, what should you advise the council to do next?

• Begin to rebuild homes

• Start flooding Awareness classes for all residents

• Start to assess the damage that has been caused.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsbRPnzuAuY

​Scenario 9
22nd August
One week after the floods

Multiple Choice

It is now one week after the Boscastle flood. The water has receded, but many homes and businesses have been damaged. Roads and bridges are also affected. As part of the Environment Agency team, what should your next priority be?

• Begin a full investigation into the causes of the flooding and assess the damage across the village.

• Quickly rebuild everything exactly as it was before the flood.

• Blame local residents and businesses for poor drainage and land use.

• Focus all attention on clearing tourist attractions so visitors can return as quickly as possible.

​Scenario 11
March 2005
7 months after the floods

Multiple Choice

A new town plan is being proposed, you have been asked to advise on the best way to help reduce flooding.

Should you allow building on the floodplain close to the river?

• Yes, buildings can be built, but this time with flood resistant materials

• Yes, buildings can be built, but must have clear evacuation routes to help people escape

• Yes - but only for essential services

• No - Restrict all building on the floodplain

​Scenario 12
August 2005
12 months after the floods

Multiple Choice

A new flood warning system is being created and tested. How should the warnings be delivered to the residents?

• A loud siren

• Messages on multiple phone Apps, Sirens, Texts messages

• Rely on word of mouth

• TV broadcasts

Multiple Choice

A proposal to reduce flooding is to build a dam upstream of Boscastle in Minster Wood. What direction is this from Boscastle?

• North

• South

• East

• West

Multiple Choice

At Minster wood the river goes through a series of curves. What is the geographic name for these curves?

• Interlocking spurs

• Meanders

• Slip-off slopes

• River Cliffs

Multiple Choice

You have been asked to advise on environmentally friendly methods to reduce flooding in the future, which two do you suggest?

• Build a new dam further upstream

• Plant trees further upstream

• Dredge and widen the river

• Create zoning strategy for the floodplain.

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZhl-YZqpY4

Multiple Select

Which three methods have the local council and national trust done to protect Boscastle?

• Widen the river

• Lower the river bed

• Lower the road levels

• Create a flood plain before the village

​Who has managed the flooding the best?

Who has saved the village of Boscastle?