Adults - Storms - Prevention

1. E-Learning Module for
Adults
Storms

2. Part 1: Prevention
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
Natural Disasters
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• WHAT IS A STORM? (causes and characteristics)
• THE SIGNS OF A STORM
• THE TYPES OF STORMS
• THE IMPACT OF A STORM

3. Part 1: Prevention
Storms - What are they?
Storms are a natural phenomenon and can’t be “prevented” but you
can be more aware and better prepared if they do affect you.
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
Natural Disasters
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4. Part 1: Prevention
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
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5. Part 1: Prevention
Storms - What are they?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
Natural Disasters
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A storm is any disturbed state of an environment or astronomical
body’s atmosphere especially affecting its surface, and strongly
implying severe weather.
Image courtesy of Vlado at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

6. Part 1: Prevention
Storms - What are they?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
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A storm is any disturbed state of an environment or astronomical
body’s atmosphere especially affecting its surface, and strongly
implying severe weather.
Examples of severe weather includes: high winds, rain, hail, sleet, snow,
blizzard, thunder and lightning, storm surges, hurricanes, etc.
Image courtesy of Vlado at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

7. Part 1: Prevention
Storms - What are they?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
Natural Disasters
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8. Part 1: Prevention
Storms - What are they?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
Natural Disasters
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Storms are created when a centre of low pressure
develops with a system of high pressure
surrounding it. This combination of opposing
forces can create winds and result in the
formation of storm clouds, such as
cumulonimbus. Small localised areas of low
pressure can form from hot air rising off hot
ground, resulting in smaller disturbances such as
dust devils and whirlwinds.

9. Part 1: Prevention
Storms - What are they?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
Natural Disasters
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Source: NOAA
Wind is air that is in motion. The sun heats the Earth’s
surface. As the Earth’s surface heats, so does the
atmosphere. Some parts of the Earth receive more direct
heat and stay warmer (i.e. land) while others are cooler
(i.e. water). Warm air weighs less than cool air and so it
rises. As it does, cooler more dense air replaces the risen
warmer air. The movement of that air is what causes
wind.

10. Part 1: Prevention
Storms - What are they?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
Natural Disasters
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Source: NOAA
Wind is air that is in motion. The sun heats the Earth’s
surface. As the Earth’s surface heats, so does the
atmosphere. Some parts of the Earth receive more direct
heat and stay warmer (i.e. land) while others are cooler
(i.e. water). Warm air weighs less than cool air and so it
rises. As it does, cooler more dense air replaces the risen
warmer air. The movement of that air is what causes
wind.

11. Part 1: Prevention
Storms - What are they?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
Natural Disasters
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Source: NOAA
Wind is air that is in motion. The sun heats the Earth’s
surface. As the Earth’s surface heats, so does the
atmosphere. Some parts of the Earth receive more direct
heat and stay warmer (i.e. land) while others are cooler
(i.e. water). Warm air weighs less than cool air and so it
rises. As it does, cooler more dense air replaces the risen
warmer air. The movement of that air is what causes
wind.

12. Part 1: Prevention
Storms - What are they?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
Natural Disasters
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•http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/learn-about-the-weather/how-weather-works/highs-
and-lows/pressure
•http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/learn-about-the-weather/how-weather-works/highs-
and-lows/wind-flow
•http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/learn-about-the-weather/highs-and-lows/weather-
conditions

13. Part 1: Prevention
Storms - What are they?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
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14. Part 1: Prevention
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
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15. Part 1: Prevention
The signs of a storm
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The Beaufort scale, is an empirical measure for
describing wind intensity based on observed conditions
at sea or on land.
A strict meteorological definition of a terrestrial storm is
a wind measuring 10 or higher on the Beaufort scale.
Storms can last anywhere from 12 to 200 hours,
depending on season and geography.

16. Part 1: Prevention
The signs of a storm
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
Natural Disasters
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The Beaufort scale, is an empirical measure for
describing wind intensity based on observed conditions
at sea or on land.
A strict meteorological definition of a terrestrial storm is
a wind measuring 10 or higher on the Beaufort scale.
Storms can last anywhere from 12 to 200 hours,
depending on season and geography.

17. Part 1: Prevention
The signs of a storm
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
Natural Disasters
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As indicated earlier, the causes of wind also result in the formation of clouds.

18. Part 1: Prevention
The signs of a storm
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As indicated earlier, the causes of wind also result in the formation of clouds.
Clouds are formed when a mass of warm rises up over a mass of cold air. The range of ways in
which clouds can be formed and the variable nature of the atmosphere results in an enormous
variety of shapes, sizes and textures of clouds.

19. Part 1: Prevention
The signs of a storm
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
Natural Disasters
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Clouds

20. Part 1: Prevention
The signs of a storm
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
Natural Disasters
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Clouds
© Copyright Richard Croft and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.
Source: Met Office © Copyright Tony Atkinand licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.

21. Part 1: Prevention
The signs of a storm
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
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© Copyright Richard Croft and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.

22. Part 1: Prevention
The signs of a storm
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© Copyright Richard Croft and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.
Cumulonimbus clouds are heavy and dense low-level
clouds, extending high into the sky in towers, plumes or
mountain shaped peaks. The base is often flat and very
dark, and may only be a few hundred feet above the
Earth’s surface. Cumulonimbus clouds are associated
with thunderstorms and atmospheric instability. These
clouds are capable of producing lightning and other
dangerous severe weather.

23. Part 1: Prevention
The signs of a storm
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
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Source: Met Office

24. Part 1: Prevention
The signs of a storm
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Nimbostratus clouds are dark grey or bluish grey
featureless layers of clouds, thick enough to block
out the sun. These mid-level clouds are often
accompanied by continuous heavy rain or snow
and cover most of the sky. If there is hail,
thunder or lightning it is a cumulonimbus cloud
rather than nimbostratus.
Source: Met Office

25. Part 1: Prevention
The signs of a storm
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
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© Copyright Tony Atkinand licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.

26. Part 1: Prevention
The signs of a storm
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
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A funnel cloud is a cone-shaped cloud which
extends from the base of a cloud towards the
ground without reaching the ground. They are
formed in the same way as a tornado, building
around a localised area of intensely low pressure
and are typically associated with the formation of
cumulonimbus clouds
© Copyright Tony Atkinand licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.

27. Part 1: Prevention
The signs of a storm
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
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Clouds

28. Part 1: Prevention
The signs of a storm
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
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Or check out this Met Office Factsheet:
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/clouds

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30. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
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31. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
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Source: Kevin Wadsworth, The Met Office
© Copyright David Stowelland licensed for reuse under the Creative
Commons Licence.
© Copyright Andy Dolman and licensed for reuse under the
Creative Commons Licence
© Copyright Mat Fascione and licensed for
reuse under the Creative Commons Licence
Source: NOAA NATIONAL SEVERE STORMS
LABORATORY
© Copyright David Baird and licensed for reuse under the
Creative Commons Licence
Getty images

32. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
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Source: Kevin Wadsworth, The Met Office

33. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
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A storm that generates lightning and the
attendant thunder. It is normally accompanied
by heavy precipitation.
Source: Kevin Wadsworth, The Met Office

34. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
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Source: Kevin Wadsworth, The Met Office

35. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
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36. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
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© Copyright David Stowelland licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.

37. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
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A snowstorm is a heavy fall of snow
accumulating at a rate of more than 5
centimetres (2 inches) per hour that lasts several
hours.
© Copyright David Stowelland licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.

38. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
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© Copyright Andy Dolman and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence

39. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
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A blizzard is accompanied by gale-force winds,
heavy snow (accumulating at a rate of at least 5
centimetres (2 inches) per hour, and very cold
conditions (below approximately -10 degrees
Celsius or 14ºF.
© Copyright Andy Dolman and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence

40. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
Natural Disasters
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© Copyright David Baird and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence

41. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
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A wind storm is a storm marked by high wind
with little or no precipitation. High winds are
also the cause of Dust Storms and Sand Storms in
dry climates. (See previous information on the
Beaufort Scale).
© Copyright David Baird and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence

42. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
Natural Disasters
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© Copyright Mat Fascione and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence

43. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
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A hailstorm is a type of storm that precipitates
round chunks of ice. Hailstorms usually occur
during regular thunder storms. While most of
the hail that precipitates from the clouds is fairly
small and virtually harmless, there are occasional
occurrences of hail greater than 2 inches in
diameter that can cause much damage and
injury.
© Copyright Mat Fascione and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence

44. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
Natural Disasters
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45. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
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A tropical cyclone is a storm system with a closed
circulation around a centre of low pressure, fuelled by
the heat released when moist air rises and condenses.
Tropical cyclones are distinguished from other
cyclonic storms such as nor’easters and polar lows by
the heat mechanism that fuels them, which makes
them “warm core” storm systems. Tropical cyclones
form in oceans if the conditions in the area are
favourable, and depending on their strength and
location, there are various terms by which they are
called, such as tropical depression, tropical storm,
hurricane and typhoon.
Getty images

46. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
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47. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
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Source: NOAA NATIONAL SEVERE STORMS LABORATORY

48. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
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A tornado is a violent, destructive wind storm
occurring on land. Usually its appearance is that
of a dark, funnel-shaped cloud. Often tornadoes
are preceded by a thunderstorm and a wall
cloud. They are often called the most destructive
of storms, and while they form all over the world,
the interior of the United States is the most prone
areas, especially throughout Tornado Alley.
Source: NOAA NATIONAL SEVERE STORMS LABORATORY

49. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
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Source: NOAA NATIONAL SEVERE STORMS LABORATORY

50. Part 1: Prevention
Types of storms
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•http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/learn-about-the-weather/weather-
phenomena/tornado/how-tornadoes-are-formed

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Storms result in numerous weather-related impacts, both inland and around the coast.

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Storms - Impact
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Strong winds, high tides and tidal surges acting in combination create huge waves, known
as a storm surge.

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Storms - Impact
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Source: Met Office
Strong winds, high tides and tidal surges acting in combination create huge waves, known
as a storm surge.

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Source: Met Office
Strong winds, high tides and tidal surges acting in combination create huge waves, known
as a storm surge.
These storm surges can cause damage to sea vessels, sea defences and infrastructure and
lead to flooding to properties and disruption to road and rail travel along the coast.

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Storms - Impact
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Storms - Impact
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STORMS CAN CAUSE FLOODING:
•Heavy rain may cause the water level to rise

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Storms - Impact
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STORMS CAN CAUSE FLOODING:
•Heavy rain may cause the water level to rise
•Drains can be blocked during storms and water
has no way to go

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STORMS CAN CAUSE FLOODING:
•Heavy rain may cause the water level to rise
•Drains can be blocked during storms and water
has no way to go
•Melting snow can sometimes cause flooding
after the storm has passed

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STORMS CAN CAUSE FLOODING:
•Heavy rain may cause the water level to rise
•Drains can be blocked during storms and water
has no way to go
•Melting snow can sometimes cause flooding
after the storm has passed
Link to the
FLOODING
unit

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DIFFICULT TO MOVE AROUND:
•Slippery paths and roads

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DIFFICULT TO MOVE AROUND:
•Slippery paths and roads
•Snow can block paths and roads, especially if
there are large snow drifts

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DIFFICULT TO MOVE AROUND:
•Slippery paths and roads
•Snow can block paths and roads, especially if
there are large snow drifts
•Cars, trains and buses may not be able to travel
or may get stuck

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STORMS CAN CAUSE DAMAGE:
•High winds can damage houses and knock down
trees

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STORMS CAN CAUSE DAMAGE:
•High winds can damage houses and knock down
trees
•Trees may fell on people or cars

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STORMS CAN CAUSE DAMAGE:
•High winds can damage houses and knock down
trees
•Trees may fell on people or cars
•Fallen trees may block paths and roads

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Storms - Impact
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STORMS CAN CAUSE DAMAGE:
•High winds can damage houses and knock down
trees
•Trees may fell on people or cars
•Fallen trees may block paths and roads
•Landslides and mudslides may happen

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It should be noted that although storms generally lead to negative impacts on lives and property,
systems with significant rainfall can alleviate drought in places they move through. Heavy
snowfall can also allow special recreational activities to take place which would not be possible
otherwise, such as skiing.

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During the night of 31 January 1953 and morning of Sunday 01
February, a storm in the North Sea caused a storm surge which
coincided with a high spring tide. The flood struck the east coast of
England and Scotland, as well as the Netherlands and Belgium.
Although the storm and surge were forecast in advance, public
warning systems were not effective at that time as local radio stations
did not broadcast at night, and many people were not prepared for the
flooding. More than 2,500 people were killed around the North Sea
coastline (1,836 in the Netherlands, 307 in England, 28 in Belgium, 19
in Scotland and 361 out at sea). Around 30,000 animals were
drowned and, as well as loss of life, the flooding caused massive
damage to people’s homes and businesses and ruined large areas of
farmland.

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During the night of 31 January 1953 and morning of Sunday 01
February, a storm in the North Sea caused a storm surge which
coincided with a high spring tide. The flood struck the east coast of
England and Scotland, as well as the Netherlands and Belgium.
Although the storm and surge were forecast in advance, public
warning systems were not effective at that time as local radio stations
did not broadcast at night, and many people were not prepared for the
flooding. More than 2,500 people were killed around the North Sea
coastline (1,836 in the Netherlands, 307 in England, 28 in Belgium, 19
in Scotland and 361 out at sea). Around 30,000 animals were
drowned and, as well as loss of life, the flooding caused massive
damage to people’s homes and businesses and ruined large areas of
farmland.

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Source: Northumberland County Council

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Following severe storms. the south of England saw heavy rainfalls
associated with these storms which caused widespread flooding,
power cuts and major disruptions to transport. Economically the
worst affected areas were Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall in
the south west and the Thames Valley in the south east. The flood
phenomena ranged from coastal flooding, pluvial flooding, fluvial
flooding to groundwater flooding. The flooding resulted in the
inundation of the majority of the Somerset Levelsand saw the main
railway line to Cornwall and West Devon severed by the sea at
Dawlish.
Source: Northumberland County Council

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Source: Northumberland County Council

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The storms and strong winds also caused widespread impacts
inland. Many trees were felled by the wind and on 12 February
around 100,000 homes and businesses were without power.
Several buildings experienced structural damage by winds. The
Met Office issued a Red Warning for wind – the highest level of
warning – for parts of North Wales and north-west England for
the storm on 12 February 2014, while at the height of the storms
more than 15 severe flood warnings were in place across the
country.
Source: Northumberland County Council

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Although the impacts of these events were caused through strong
winds and storm surges, similar impacts can be felt through other
storms, such as thunder, snow and hail storms.
Source: Northumberland County Council

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•http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/who/how/case-studies

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•www.metoffice.gov.uk
•www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency
The Environment Agency can also advise you on whether you live in or plan to move to a flood
risk area.

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