The document summarizes flooding that occurred in Cumbria, England in November 2009. Over 350mm of rain fell in some areas in a 24 hour period, causing two rivers and their tributaries to overflow. This resulted in severe flooding that affected over 1,700 homes and businesses. Infrastructure like bridges and sewers were damaged. One person died and over 1,000 people had to be evacuated. The flooding highlighted needs for improved flood defenses, warning systems, and flood-proofing of buildings. Work continued for years afterward to strengthen infrastructure and protect against future flooding.

1. November 2009

2. • Average annual rainfall is about 2,000 millimetres,
reported by the met office
• Cumbria is a region in North-East England
• The region has a steep relief including the three
highest peaks in England
• Total population of Cumbria in 2003 was 487,607
people
• There are only five urban areas
• North Atlantic Drift which, together with the
mountainous landscape, make Cumbria the wettest
part of England.

3. • Flooding occurred at the confluence of two
rivers near the town of Cockermouth
• Events took place in November 2009
• The two rivers have large amounts of
tributaries further upstream
• This central region is mountainous, 11 lakes
and countless streams and rivers which drain
out of the uplands

5. • One fatality
• 1,000 people evacuated
• 1,700 homes flooded
• 1,500 homes without power
• Limited access to schools and hospitals
• 1,800 bridges declared unsafe
• £100 million worth of insurance claims
• 2.5m of flood water left behind
• Large amounts of soil erosion
• Farmland left unusable due by debris
• 12,000 tonnes of gravel spread by the flood

6. • Urbanisation
• Sewers blocking up was another factor that
contributed to the flooding. This happened
in Elliot park, Kenswick
• There is also a large number of bridges in
the area
• Cars being carried by the river caused
blockages in the river making it spill over
its banks

7. • Met Office forecast that 350 mm of rain was
possible in the most exposed locations over high
ground
• In the 24 hours from midnight to midnight on 19
November, Seathwaite in Borrowdale, Cumbria
recorded 316 mm of rainfall
• On the week before the flood there was heavy
rainfall which meant the ground was saturated.
• Another contribution to this speed was the
precipitous ground of the Lake District. This kind of
airflow is common in the UK during autumn and
winter, and is known as a ‘warm conveyor’.

9. • Flood walls and Barriers
• Dock gates
• Restrictions on land used for building
• Flood warning scheme in place
• Flood plain areas mainly used for farming

10. • Railway fixed between two halves of
Workington:
Temporary station set up
Free shuttle service across river
• Emergency footbridge
• Temporary supermarket
• Surveying of bridges
• Clean up of houses and businesses

11. • Strengthening and creation of flood defences and
bridges
• Flood protection and warning for the public
• The public was encouraged to fit:
Door guards
Air brick covers
Non-return valves
Pumps for the inside of properties
• Flood defence was still continuing in March 2013