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Cockermouth
Flooding November 19 2009/then 2015!
On the afternoon
of November 19 2009 both the Rivers Derwent and Cocker swept through
thousands of homes and businesses in the town centre of Cockermouth.
Heavy rainfall was the main cause but rivers had been undredged for
years and a relief archway at Gote Bridge (added after an earlier traumatic
flood) was partially silted up when the floods struck. The emergency
services assisted by RNLI, Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Rotary Clubs
and other volunteers ensured nobody died in the town. Many shops and
pubs now (2010) display marks showing the height of the waters reached.
Despite costly subsequent flood defences (part paid by local residents)
there was major flooding again in December 2015.
Historic roundup of the many floods hitting town.
Pic by Vanessa Morrison
After the event... the Environment Agency removed the gravel that had
been allowed to build up before and during the floods.
The town of Cockermouth now (2013) has a flood risk management scheme
(completed June 2013) which has reduced the risk of flooding to many
homes. The scheme features a 120-metre wide innovative self-closing
flood barrier, which rises automatically when the river is in flood
and retains views of the river throughout the rest of the year. This
is the first time a barrier of this type has been used to protect a
community in the UK and visitors from other parts of the UK at risk
from flooding have been to see it, to evaluate its potential use for
their communities. A commemorative plaque for the defences contains
a poem crafted by nine-year-old Molly Palmer, a pupil at a local Primary
School, who won an Environment Agency poetry competition around Cockermouth’s
flooding experiences.
“After the storm had passed and water had gone, the sun came out
and sadness floated away.
After the years of hard work and sunshine Cockermouth was a town again.”
Some
technical advice and suggestions.
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Other
links
Cockermouth Floods Action Group
Live
River Levels for Cockermouth
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