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Natural Disaster Series Earth, Wind, Fire & Water: Floods

Floods was the last of four meetings in the Societys Natural Disaster Series Earth, Wind, Fire and Water.
Three related presentations were delivered by Professor Garry Pender, Professor of Environmental Engineering, Heriot Watt University, Professor Edmund Penning-Rowsell, Director of the Flood Hazard Research Centre, Middlesex University Professor David Wilson, Visiting Professor, Heriot Watt University.
Garry Pender provided an overview of the sources of flooding, including: Rainfall which acts as a driver for fluvial, pluvial and groundwater flooding. Fluvial flooding occurs when excess water in river channels causes overtopping of banks or breaching of linear flood defences; pluvial flooding arises from surcharging of sewer pipes due to lack of capacity to convey runoff; and, groundwater flooding can be seen when the water table level rises above the natural ground level. Storm surge is the result of low pressure weather systems moving across the ocean resulting in both a pressure surge and wind driven increase in water levels at the coast. Wave induced flooding occurs when wind driven waves add to high coastal water levels to overtop of coastal defences. It is possible for coincident flooding to occur from two or more of these sources acting simultaneously. Garry also pointed out that although highly topical flooding in the UK is not a new phenomenon. The worst flood on record was a result of the storm surge that occurred on the 31st December 1953. This event increased tide levels along the south east coast of Britain by 3.36 m and resulted in 307 deaths in the UK and 1835 deaths in the Netherlands. The recent increased frequency of flooding is attributed to climate change arising from global warming. Current climate change predictions for the UK suggest an increase in high intensity rainfall events and storm surges. In recognition of this, government policy has shifted from one of defence to integrated flood risk management. Edmund Penning-Rowsell emphasised that floods are about people, a flood is only significant when people suffer; a flood that doesnt impact on people is really not very important. He presented the findings from four recent research projects undertaken by the FHRC, focussing on Health, Loss of Life, Fairness and Risk Communication. Health using questionnaire and interview techniques the health of a group of people whose homes suffered flooding in 1989 was investigated. Both physical health, in terms of shock and respiratory effects, and mental health, in terms of stress, anxiety, depression, sleeping problems, flash backs and mood swings, have been investigated. Fifty eight percent of the population reported significant physical effects on their health, with thirty eight percent showing some mental health impairment and seventeen percent showing significant impairment of their mental health. Additionally, a standard medical health questionnaire was used to determine if any of the population were suffering post traumatic stress disorder, eight percent of the population showed clear evidence that this was the case, with a much greater percentage approaching this threshold. Loss of life floods are dangerous and the children below, pictured during the Glasgow, 2002 flood are taking a serious risk.Data for Europe indicates that the number of deaths as a result of floods has increased over the past decade; however, the number of deaths per flood is coming down. This suggests that warning systems are more efficient and people are more aware of the risks posed by floods and are taking action to protect themselves. Social justice The present method of basing flood defence decisions on economic criteria results in different standards of protection for different communities. Why should this be? Social justice is better served if resources are targeted on the most vulnerable rather on where the most damage occurs. A new approach is required to determine policies based on equality that account for the needs of the old and vulnerable. Risk communication recent research has investigated the impact of flood warnings on reducing the financial damage during flooding. Using questionnaire surveys it has been discovered that the receipt of a warning is not critical to reducing damage to personal property. People who were unaware that a warning had been issued received indirect information and took action to limit damage. This raises interesting research questions on effective risk communication.

Opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of the RSE, nor of its Fellows

David Wilson: presented a case study of the 30th July, 2002 flood which occurred in the East End of Glasgow. The storm has been assessed as a 1 in 100 year event. The maximum rainfall intensity was 95 mm/hr with a total of 75 mm (typical total for 1 month) falling in 10 hours. A total of 500 properties were flooded, with pockets of severe flooding in the Greenfield and Shettleston areas. In addition, transport was badly disrupted, the M8 motorway was closed for several hours, 100 other roads were impassable and the low level railway line was closed for several days, total clean up costs were estimated at 100m.

A technical review of the causes of the flood plus experience gained from previous floods in the location indicated that loss of natural water courses and their associated floodplains had resulted in a lack of capacity in trunk sewers. Essentially, there was a lack of understanding of what the sewers should be required to do. The problem is now being addressed by the Glasgow Surface Water Management Plan, with Glasgow City Council, Scottish Water and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency taking joint responsiblity

Opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of the RSE, nor of its Fellows

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