The document provides information about the flooding that occurred on the Somerset Levels in 2014. It discusses the causes of the flooding, which included prolonged heavy rainfall throughout January 2014 that saturated the ground. The low-lying topography of the Somerset Levels exacerbated the flooding. The impacts included over 600 homes being affected, some villages being cut off, disruption to travel and businesses, and farmers being unable to graze livestock. Responses to the flooding involved immediate search and rescue efforts as well as long-term plans for dredging rivers and installing pumps and flood defenses to mitigate future flooding in the area.

1. What do you think
happened to my house?
Where do you think I
am located?

2. Why did the flooding in the Somerset
Levels in 2004 cause £10 million
worth of damage?
Steps to success:
• Locate the Somerset
Levels.
• Explain the causes of
the flooding.
• Evaluate the impacts
of the flood.
• Analyse the responses
to the flooding.
Key words:
• Somerset Levels
• Cause
• Social
• Economic
• Environmental
• Response
• Management
strategies

3. Somerset
Levels
2014
As you go through the
tasks this lesson,
complete each section
of the clock.
Make sure your notes are
clear and include the key
facts.
They can be bullet-points.
Use images / cartoons / symbols
to help you remember
the key facts
and figures.

4. This is an example of what your
“Round the Clock” revision sheet
could look like.

5. Somerset
Levels
2014
Task 1: Where are the Somerset
Levels? What are they?
Use the following slides to locate
the Somerset Levels and
describe what they are.

6. Wherearethe
SomersetLevels?

7. BLACKDOWN HILLS
Challenge:
Give 3 reasons
why the Levels
are prone to
flooding.
Where are the Somerset Levels?

8. An area of coastal plain and wetland in
central Somerset.
Covers 650km2.
Flat land lying close to sea level.
Mainly agricultural, arable and grazing
land.
Important habitat for birds and plants.
What are the Levels?

9. Somerset
Levels
2014
Task 2: What caused the
2014 flooding?
Use the following slide and
the textbook (p.34-35) to
explain what caused the
floods.
Where?

10. What caused the flooding on the
Somerset Levels?
Prolonged heavy rain during the
winter of 2013-14…
But what else?

11. Prolonged rainfall: In January 2014 in
southern England, rainfall totalled 183.8
mm, 200% higher than average for that
month!
It was the wettest January since records
began in 1910.
Physical Causes

12. • Saturated ground: saturated soil could
not hold any more water.
• Low-lying land: Much of the area lies
at, or just a few metres above, sea
level.
• High tides and storm surges from the
Bristol Channel: These prevent the
floodwater from being taken to the sea.
Physical Causes

13. • Lack of dredging: Over the years the
rivers had become clogged with
sediment.
• Change in farming practices: Much of
the land has been converted from
grassland to grow maize. This more
intensive use of the land means it is less
able to retain water increasing surface
run-off.
Human Causes

14. Somerset
Levels
2014
Task 3: What were the
impacts of the floods?
Use the following slides and the
textbook to explain what the
social, economic and
environmental impacts were.
Highlight the 3 different types.
Where?
Causes?

15. Impacts

16. There were reports of increased
crime.
Local businesses lost
trade.
Longer journey times for
locals due to road closures.
Some home owners were
forced to evacuate from
their property.
Impacts
Social Economic Environmental
600 homes
affected.
Some villages
were cut off.
Major roads blocked –
people can’t get to school,
work…
Farmers were prevented from grazing their
animals.
Many cows had to be evacuated or sold.

17. There were reports of increased
crime.
Local businesses lost
trade.
Longer journey times for
locals due to road closures.
Some home owners were
forced to evacuate from
their property.
Impacts
Social Economic Environmental
600 homes
affected.
Some villages
were cut off.
Major roads blocked –
people can’t get to school,
work…
Farmers were prevented from grazing their
animals.
Many cows had to be evacuated or sold.

18. Somerset
Levels
2014
Task 4: What were the
responses to the floods?
Use the following slides and
the textbook to explain what
the immediate and long-term
responses were.
Where?
Causes?
Impacts?

19. Responses
Rescue boats were
deployed to help
stranded people.
Royal Marines were sent in to help
with flood relief.
UK government promised at least
£30 million to help with repairs.
The Flooding on the Levels
Action Group FLAG supported
people in need of help.
Extra police
patrols in
response to
reports of crime.
A £20 million flood action plan has
been drawn up.
Challenge:
Which of these are short
(immediate) and which are
long term responses?

20. Timeline

21. The Environment Agency installed giant
pumps from the Netherlands to lower
water levels.
Responses
Dredging of rivers to increase
their drainage capacity.

22. Government’s 20 year flood
action draft plan calls for…
More dredging
Building of higher embankments
Raising of certain key roads
Installation of permanent pumps
Building of a coastal flood protection
barrage to hold back highest tides
Challenge:
What are the arguments for
and against hard engineering
solutions to flooding?
Responses
Challenge:
Should we spend more money on
traditional flood protection or
return the Levels to a natural
wetland state?

23. Somerset
Levels
2014
Exam question:
Using table C (p.34
textbook), evaluate
the main impacts of
the flooding of the
Somerset Levels.
(6 marks)
Where?
Causes?
Impacts?Responses?
Any extra information?
If you have finished, complete the
Activities in the textbook (p.35).

24. Gimme 5!
Somerset
Levels Floods

25. Geography Homework
• Using the Student textbook on Kerboodle, complete the
Activities and Practice question on pages 36-37.
• Use the Ordnance Survey MapZone
(https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/) to help
you, if you cannot remember your map skills.
If you will have difficulty completing this task online, let
me know, and you can use the textbook at break/lunch time
(in advance of the deadline) to complete the homework.
• Due: ___________________________