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Sheffield Flood Case Study
factors that influence whether a river floods its banks
rainfall (intensity)
urban area; impermeable rock/soil
rural area; lots of vegetation (intercepts rainfall), roots absorb water from the soil
steep slopes
where is Sheffield located
south Yorkshire in north of England
what river flows through Sheffield
river Don
when was the flood
25th June 2007
what caused the Sheffield flood
June 2007 wettest month on record; more than double the average
some areas received months worth of rainfall in 24hrs
lots of rain caused the flood
impacts of the 2007 flood
Sheffield Wednesday Hillsborough stadium flooded; can’t hold matches
closure of A61 Penistone Road (major route into the city)
many homes and businesses flooded and destroyed
Meadhowhall shopping centre closed due to flood; closed completely for a week with some stores not reopening until September
two people died; 13 year old boy and 68 year old man
several cattle washed away from farms
junctions on the M1 closed as a precaution
antecedent conditions
over 1200 homes flooded
1000 businesses effected
13,000 people without power for two days
what did Sheffield Wednesday Hillsborough stadium flooding mean
loss of money and people unhappy
6-8ft of water
expensive to repair
what did the closure of the A61 mean
people can’t get to work, travel etc
had to abandon cars
what did the Meadowhall shopping centre flooding and closing mean
expensive to rebuild and open
stock and equipment destroyed; electronics, food etc
loss of jobs/no pay
what did cattle washing away from farms mean
loss of money; less livestock and crops to sell
could cause damage
what did junctions on the M1 closing mean
people couldn’t travel
emergency services couldn’t reach Sheffield
accidents
ruins peoples journeys
why did Sheffield flood
rainfall
rivers and landscape
urbanisation
drain infrastructure
how did rainfall mean Sheffield flooded
flooding began due to extreme wet weather in northern England; antecedent conditions
with grounds already saturated, cities drains unable to cope
how did rivers and landscapes contribute to the flooding of Sheffield
city lies at the foot of the Pennines, where three rivers (Rivelin, Loxley and Don) meet
several reservoirs in upper courses store water and regulate flow in rainy periods; this time they filled and overflowed
where the Rivelin and Loxley confluence, volume of water increased hugely and flooding became likely
nearby confluence; Don already almost up to its banks so a backlog of water occurred, causing water to back up along Rivelin and Loxley; overflowing
how did urbanisation mean Sheffield flooded
most of Sheffield built up; concrete surfaces, brick, tarmac, etc, all of which are impermeable
how did drain infrastructure mean Sheffield flooded
only way cities can cope with rainfall, however Sheffields drains, channels and flood defenses were overwhelmed by extreme flows of water
very quick, sudden downpours making flood prediction difficult
drains blocked and overflowed
fallen trees along rivers Sheaf, Loxley and Don blocked by river channels
Sheffield council denied drains were to blame for the flood
why did Sheffield council deny the drains were to blame for the flood
system designed to deal with rainfall amounts that may occur every 30 years
rains heaviest for 35 years; planning couldn’t prevent
rivers, drains and streams not big enough
2007 floods a once in 400 year event
