OCR B GCSE Geography Revision

Revision materials to support you in preparing for your GCSE Geography exams.

GCSE | OCR B GCSE Geography Revision | Global Hazards | Storm Desmond Case Study OCR B Geography

Revision Notes

Weather Hazards Case Studies

Typhoon Haiyan

2012 Drought in the UK

2018 UK Heatwave

Storm Desmond

Interactive Revision

Flashcards

Quiz

Storm Desmond Case Study OCR B Geography

Introduction

Storm Desmond struck the UK on December 5th and 6th, 2015, primarily affecting Cumbria and surrounding areas. The storm brought extreme weather conditions, including gusts of wind up to 130 km/h and record-breaking rainfall, which resulted in the worst flooding the region had seen in 600 years.

Crashing Waves Storm Desmond hits Porthcawl and crash into the lighthouse and pier in South Wales, UK.

Crashing waves during Storm Desmond hit Porthcawl in South Wales, UK

Causes

Several meteorological and environmental factors combined to create the conditions for Storm Desmond:

Warm and Cold Air Interaction: Warm air masses from the Caribbean travelled across the Atlantic Ocean and met colder air over northern England. This collision of air masses was a critical factor in the storm’s development.
Extratropical Cyclone: Storm Desmond was classified as a deep low-pressure system, also known as an extratropical cyclone. This type of system is characterized by a significant drop in atmospheric pressure, which can lead to intense weather conditions.
Relief Rainfall: As the warm, moisture-laden air was forced to rise over the Cumbrian mountains, it cooled and condensed, resulting in prolonged and heavy rainfall. This phenomenon is known as relief rainfall.
Pre-Saturated Ground: Prior to the storm, the region had already experienced twice its average monthly rainfall. The ground was saturated, meaning additional rainfall quickly ran off the surface and into rivers, exacerbating the flooding.

Consequences

The impacts of Storm Desmond were widespread and severe:

Flooding of Homes: Approximately 5,200 homes were affected by flooding, causing significant distress and displacement for residents.
Economic Cost: The estimated cost of the damage across Cumbria was around £500 million, impacting local economies and infrastructure.
Environmental Changes: Rivers experienced increased erosion, and large amounts of sediment were deposited on floodplains downstream, altering the natural landscape.
Power Outages: Around 43,000 homes in Cumbria and Lancashire lost power, disrupting daily life and business operations.
School Closures: Forty schools were forced to close, affecting over 3,000 children and their education.
Landslides and Transport Disruption: A landslide caused the closure of a section of the West Coast railway line, highlighting the storm’s impact on transportation networks.
Natural Phenomena: The Malham Cove waterfall, which had not flowed in living memory, briefly began to flow again due to the sheer volume of rainfall.

Responses

A coordinated response effort was implemented to address the immediate and long-term impacts of the storm:

Flood Warnings and Alerts: Over 100 flood warnings and more than 70 flood alerts were issued across northern England, helping to prepare and inform the public.
Rescue Centers: Five rescue centres were established across Cumbria to provide shelter and support for people stranded by the floods.
Financial Assistance: The government announced relief measures, including council tax and business rate relief for 5,000 affected households and businesses. Additionally, a £50 million fund was allocated for a ‘repair and renew’ scheme to assist with recovery efforts.
Military Involvement: 200 military personnel were deployed to assist with rescue operations and the subsequent clean-up process.
High-Volume Pumps: Fifty high-volume pumps were used to remove floodwater from critical areas, preventing further damage and aiding in recovery efforts.
Infrastructure Repairs: Over the two years following the flood, 200 bridges in the affected area were repaired to restore connectivity and safety.
Local Support Fund: A local recovery fund was established to support immediate needs, providing essentials such as food, drink, and clothing to those affected by the floods.