2007 United Kingdom floods facts for kids

The 2007 floods in the United Kingdom were a series of major floods that happened in many places across the country during the summer of 2007.

In Gloucestershire, there was a flash flood from the River Severn and a lot of extreme rainfall. It is estimated that 23 people died and nearly all of Gloucestershire was trapped in their homes for the summer holidays. The water was around four foot deep, and it got into most people's homes. The repairs would have cost about 3 thousand pounds per home.

Effects

Primary effects

• In July 2007, three people died after the river Severn burst its banks, fifteen people died.
• 10,000 motorists were stranded overnight.
• Farmers lost crops.
• 350,000 people were without running water after the sewage treatment plant was submerged.
• Houses and buildings were flooded and ruined.
• Electricity in Gloucester was shut down.
• Schools and businesses were unable to travel or work and were shut down.
• Significant damage to most properties in the area with nearly 50,000 homes affected, with people losing treasured, personal belongings and made homeless- staying with friends or relatives and 850 families had to stay in caravans, some up to Christmas 2008.
• Infrastructure severely affected, with roads cut off and badly damaged.
• On 22nd May water treatment works shut down. The media reporting’s of imminent loss of supplies, meant usage doubled and led to water depletion. By 24th July, 140,000 properties in Gloucestershire had no water supply. Alternative water supplies by bottles, bowsers and tankers had to be used, see Figure 14. Water supplies were not fully restored until the 1st August

Secondary effects

• Shops had better business because people needed more supplies.
• £3 billion had to be spent on repairs.
• Some businesses lost income while they had to repair buildings.
• 9,000 businesses affected
• More than 180,000 insurance claim

Images for kids

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  Cyclone Uriah crossing the United Kingdom on 25 June. Associated heavy rainfall led to flooding across northern England, particularly in Sheffield.

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  Non-administrative areas affected in June and July 2007 floods as of 24 July (marked in blue).

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  Administrative areas affected in June and July 2007 floods as of 24 July (marked in blue).

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  Non-administrative counties in England affected in June and July 2007 floods as of 24 July (marked in blue).

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  Administrative counties in England affected in June and July 2007 floods as of 24 July (marked in blue).

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  Flooding outside Thatcham railway station on 20 July

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  A flooded Pizza Hut in Chesterfield

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  Severe flooding in Tewkesbury

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  Flooding in King's Park, in Retford as a result of the River Idle overtopping its banks, taken on 27 June

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  Bridge collapse in Ludlow, 26 June

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  Floods in Hull (25 June 2007)

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  A road near Meadowhall Centre showing extensive flooding after the River Don burst its banks

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  The river in Clayton West just after the flooding

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  Non-administrative counties in Northern Ireland affected in June and July 2007 floods as of 24 July (marked in blue).

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  Districts in Northern Ireland affected in June and July 2007 floods as of 24 July (marked in blue).

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  Lieutenancy areas of Scotland affected in June and July 2007 floods as of 24 July (marked in blue).

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  Council areas in Scotland affected in June and July 2007 floods as of 24 July (marked in blue).

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  Non-administrative counties in Wales affected in June and July 2007 floods as of 24 July (marked in blue).

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  Principal areas in Wales affected in June and July 2007 floods as of 24 July (marked in blue).

See also

In Spanish: Inundaciones en el Reino Unido de 2007 para niños