Geography in the News

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Geography in the News
After downpours in Wales and south west England
on Friday and Saturday, heavy rain moved
northeast towards Herefordshire, Shropshire,
Worcestershire, Yorkshire, and Northumberland. Wor
st hit was Morpeth in Northumbria where 900 homes
had to be evacuated before the River Wansbeck
burst its banks
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Location in words . And labels
http//www.guardian.co.uk/users/geogonline/clippin
gs
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The extreme British weather that has killed six
people and forced hundreds from their homes may
appear to have eased, but experts warn it is just
the calm before another storm.
Whats the Problem?
Hundreds of people in Morpeth had to flee their
homes at the weekend
Torrential rain that has lashed parts of England
and Wales could return to cause flooding for
several days as the UK faces an unsettled week of
weather.
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What happens next?
For those returning to their flooded homes, the
next few days will be spent clearing the debris,
and trying to dry out their properties. With
more heavy rain forecast over the next few days
many in the town remain concerned that the floods
may return.
http//www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/Homes-evacuate
d-as-Morpeth-floods.4466193.jp
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Connections to the Wider World?
By Wednesday a weather system brought on by
Hurricane Hannah, which is working its way down
the east coast of America, is expected to hit the
UK, bringing more rain and misery. 'A band of
rain and strong winds will spread across the
country affecting everywhere by Thursday,' said
Neil Armstrong, a Met Office forecaster.
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Link People and the Environment
Phil Rothwell, from the Environment Agency, says
the wet summer hasn't helped the situation. "I
think our catchments and the soils are very wet
and saturated, and river levels are therefore
responding very quickly. "The soil isn't
absorbing the water it might, and so we're seeing
these very rapid rises in water that we saw in
south Wales and Wales generally, which is causing
a lot of problems," he said.
A spokesman for the Association of British
Insurers told AFP that though the weather
forecast was in flux, initial estimates suggested
damage valued at around the "low tens of millions
(of pounds) at this stage."
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Issues / different viewpoints
the government's "lack of action" following the
latest UK floods.
intent to maintain flood insurance protection as
long as the government implements measures to
maintain and improve flood defences.
insurance simply wont be available for those
high risk properties that need it the most.
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• Environment AgencyAround 5 million people, in 2
  million properties, live in flood risk areas in
  England and Wales.The Environment Agency has an
  important role in warning people about the risk
  of flooding

Can changes be sustainable?
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My Action / make a difference?

• What to do when you hear a flood warning
• listen out for warnings on radio and TV and phone
  Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for more information
• move pets, vehicles, valuables and other items to
  safety
• alert your neighbours, particularly the elderly
• put sandbags or flood boards in place, but make
  sure your property is ventilated plug
  sinks/baths and put a sandbag in the toilet bowl
  to prevent backflow
• be ready to turn off gas and electricity (get
  help if needed) unplug electrical items and move
  them upstairs if possible
• co-operate with emergency services and local
  authorities - you may be evacuated to a rest
  centre