Critical analysis of flooding disruption and economic damage in northeast England

¶ … human and economic costs of flooding on cities has been well documented, but the recent floods that hit northeastern England from September 25 to September 28, 2012 were among the worst in decades and in some cases, were unprecedented in the level of flooding that was involved. Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed and transportation was disrupted as flooding continued for several days. There were some casualties as well, making this a truly "killer storm." To determine the extent of the disruption and economic damage that resulted from the flooding that took place in North Eastern England in late September 2012, this paper provides a critical analysis of the relevant literature together with Environment Agency hydrographic telemetry, followed by a summary of the research, important findings and recommendations for future work in the conclusion.

Contents

1.

Introduction

Aims and Objectives of the Study

Study Aim

Study Objectives

2.

Literature Research and Background

3.

Methods of Research

4.

Raw Information/Data/Results

5.

Disruption and Economic Damage from September 2012 Flood

a.

Argument

b.

Discussion

c.

Analysis

6.

Conclusions

7.

Recommendations for Further Work

1.

Introduction

On 25 September 2012, a storm system moved into northeastern England and several days of heavy rain resulted in heavy flooding and significant damage to roadways, residences and businesses. In some cases, the structural damage to homes and businesses caused by these flood waters was sufficiently severe to require demolition. While the debate over global warming continues, research indicates that sea levels are in fact rising and storms are increasing in intensity. For instance, according to a report from Reaney and Cherry (2012), the flooding that has taken place in North East England is more severe than in years past. In this regard, Reaney and Cherry (2012, p. 2) emphasize that the regions transportation infrastructure was hard-hit: "The heavy rains that hit the North East of England recently caused some major floods in the last few days. Regions of the A1 motorway were shutdown for two days between Disforth (North Yorkshire) and Bradbury (near Durham)." Likewise, Reaney and Cherry (2012) cite the unprecedented structural damage caused to buildings in the area as a result of the flooding. According to Reaney and Cherry (2012, p. 2), "People's homes and businesses were also flooded in Morpeth and other cities, towns and villages in the North East due to heavy rain fall. Among the areas worst hit by flooding were Morpeth, Durham, Rothbury, Chester-le-Street and Stockton-on-Tees." Given the enormity of the damage caused by this flooding, it is important to identify opportunities to prevent future damage caused by flood waters to this regions, a need that forms the aims and objectives of this study which are discussed further below.

1.1

Aims and Objectives of the Study

1.1.1

Study Aims. The overarching aim of this study was to provide a critical analysis of the disruption and economic damage relating to the flooding which occurred in the northeastern England in late September 2012. In support of this aim, the study was guided by the objectives set forth below.

1.1.2

Study Objectives. This study had two main objectives: (a) to deliver a critical analysis of the relevant literature concerning the disruption and economic damage associated with the flooding in northeastern England in late September 2012; and (b) to provide recommendations concerning areas for future work.

2.

Literature Research and Background

According to Garber and Unger (2006), the economic impact of flooding on local economies can be enormous, with damages including temporary disruption caused by evacuation, property damage, and power outages; however, there may be a concomitant reduction in unemployment in some industries such as construction as people are able to return to their homes and businesses in order to repair damages from the flooding, but these spikes are typically short-lived (Garber & Unger, 2006). The economic impact of flooding on local economies is further exacerbated by the fact that many cities in northeastern England are already especially susceptible to natural crises and disasters. In this regard, Burney, Simmonds and Queeley (2007, p. 37) emphasize that, "A sudden supply shortage of disaster safety supplies such as shelter, food, water, and medical resources, can leave a city and its citizens with many environmental and social burdens which can quickly lead to more serious medical, mental health, and social protective emergencies." These adverse outcomes have become even more likely in recent years as a result of climate changes. For instance, Burney et al. (2007, p. 38) also point out that, "The consequences of such crises are multiplied by poorly coordinated administration and planning. Natural disasters have become more frequent and more severe during the last two decades, affecting a number of large cities."

3.

Methods of Research

This study employed a review of the relevant peer-reviewed and scholarly literature concerning how flooding has historically affected local communities in general and northeastern England in late September 2012 in particular together with an analysis of the raw hydrographic information collected by the Environment Agency which is discussed further below.

4.

Raw Information/Data/Results

The raw hydrographic information collected by the Environment Agency indicates that the highest levels recorded following the September 2012 flooding were above previous flood records; however, in some other regions, the flood waters had returned to the previous levels at the time of measurement (Reaney & Cherry, 2012). Other reports from the Environment Agency indicated that on September 25, 2012, the River Swale in Yorkshire was measured at 5.28 metres at Crakehill which was near the record of 5.45; the River Swale is a major tributary of the River Ure which develops into the River Ouse, the same river that caused major flooding in Yorkshire (Reaney & Cherry, 2012). By contrast, the level at Morton-on-Swale (see Figure 1 below) was decreasing from 6.47 metres recorded on September 26 to 4.13 on September 28 (Reaney and Cherry, 2012).

Figure 1. Environment Agency river level data for Morton-on-Swale

Source: Source: Reaney & Cherry, 2012

The hydrographic information reported by the Environment Agency for Myton-on-Swale on September 28 (see Figure 2 below), though, indicated the river's level was still sufficiently high to cause flooding (Reaney & Cherry, 2012).

Figure 2. Environment Agency river level data for Myton-on-Swale

Source: Reaney & Cherry, 2012

As shown in Figure 3 below, the severe flooding that was caused by the River Ouse resulted in damage to parts of Yorkshire, including Tadcaster and York. At the time of measurement, the Environment Agency found the hydrographic readings to be at or above previous record levels (Reaney and Cherry, 2012).

Figure 3. Environment Agency river level data for River Ouse at Skelton

Source: Reaney & Cherry, 2012

5.

Disruption and Economic Damage from September 2012 Flood

a.

Argument. The argument can be made that there was a lack of engineering support for the areas most adversely affected by the flood waters. In virtually every case, the outcomes of this flooding were predictable enough. For instance, Reaney and Cherry report that, "In the city of Durham the River Wear which surrounds the city centre breached its banks, which led to road closures and cars stranded. Near Richmond in North Yorkshire an older people's care home was flooded after defences installed there failed" (2012, p. 3). Likewise, the residents of a block of flats near Newcastle were informed that their homes would have to be demolished after the structures' foundations were washed away by the storm's floodwaters (Carter, 2012). According to Carter, "Dramatic pictures of the damage to the flats in Spencer Court, Newburn, showed the building looking perilous after the torrent left it in danger of collapsing. The pilings holding up the four-storey development were exposed by the flood, which was reportedly caused by a collapsed culvert" (2012, p. 2). Furthermore, transportation and emergency services were disrupted as a result of the flooding, including a closed bridge at Tadcaster that was awaiting inspection by engineers (Carter, 2012). In addition, at the time of the report on 28 September 2012, there were 87 active flood warnings in place (Carter, 2012). According to a report from the BBC, "More than 300 homes have been flooded and train services disrupted as heavy rain continues across parts of the UK. Hundreds of people are facing a night in temporary accommodation as 87 Environment Agency flood warnings remain in place. Some areas were expected to see 50mm (2in) of rain - an average fortnight's worth - in a day" (Hundreds of homes flooded, 2012 p. 3).

b.

Discussion. Although it is too early to precisely calculate the economic costs associated with this natural disaster, there were numerous indications of the record-breaking nature and level of disruption it caused from police and news media reports (can be discerned from the following reports from the BBC:

The September storm had an area of low pressure measuring 973 millibars recorded near the coast of north-east England; this was the lowest in the UK for September since 1981.

Transport was disrupted with part of the A1 closed in North Yorkshire and the East Coast mainline hit.

The A1 northbound at Tritlington in Northumberland was also shut because of water running on to the road.

Among the areas worst hit by flooding were Morpeth, Durham, Rothbury, Chester-le-Street and Stockton-on-Tees. Some 19 elderly residents at a council care home in Gilling West, North Yorkshire, had to be carried to safety by firefighters after it became swamped by 3 feet of water.

Travel disruption was caused in Scotland by heavy rain and winds of up to 70 mph.

Cleveland Police declared a major incident due to weather conditions, with around 29 properties in Stockton evacuated by the emergency services as water levels rose to around 4 feet.

In Morpeth, Northumberland, homes were evacuated and about 40 residents rescued by fire services after the River Wansbeck burst its banks.

Heavy rains sent cars careering down the River Coquet and homes were flooded in Rothbury, Northumberland.

Emergency services evacuated around 30 properties in Hartburn, Stockton, Teesside.

About 50 properties in and around Wearside were evacuated.

Heavy rain and severe winds caused power cuts and travel problems and swept sand-filled foam into parts of Scotland.

Floods in Bristol caused one of the country's biggest blood and plasma banks to close, with thousands of units transferred to other centres by refrigerated lorries.

Train services in northern England were affected by flooding. The East Coast mainline has reopened but with a limited service.

Power was turned off to almost 40 homes in Merseyside as a precaution following flooding.

Roads in north Wales remained closed after flooding and there was flood-related disruption to Arriva Trains Wales services.

Trains between Great Malvern and Hereford remained cancelled after a "very deep hole" was found following heavy rain.

A crew of refuse collectors had to be rescued by firefighters at Eryholme, North Yorkshire, when a river burst its banks and swamped their truck.

A modern block of flats was evacuated in Newburn, Newcastle upon Tyne, after fears its foundations were being washed away.

Schools in some areas were advised to close early, employers were urged to send staff home early and commuters were asked to stagger their journeys to alleviate problems on the struggling transport network (Hundreds of homes flooded, 2012, p. 2).

c.