Sheffield Flood Risk Management Strategy - Case Study Example

Name : xxxxxxxxxxx Institution : xxxxxxxxxxx Title : Environmental Management Tutor : xxxxxxxxxxx Course : xxxxxxxxxxx @2010 Introduction Flooding takes place in the areas with floodplains that are fed by several rivers. This occurs whenever the water capacity paths get extremely high due to high amount of rainfall. The study discusses the major causes and destructions of floods in Sheffield city. There is also evaluation of the impacts and significances as a result of flooding in the area. Assessment on the effectiveness of the available environmental management systems to control and prevent future flooding will be undertaken. Factors that contributed to the floods Since Sheffield city is located near convergence of the Don, Sheaf and Loxley rivers, there was increased distribution of water into river Don by the rapid flowing rivers resulting into flooding. The heavy rainstorms contributed to the widespread of the flooding in Sheffield city. This flooding occurred in different phases such as; flash flooding that involved the surface runoff with increased flows in minute approachable catchments, then there was creation of successive floodplain streams due to the concentration of the runoff along the main river banks. These small catchments were the main sources for flooding with quick response to heavy rainfall and overland pour that exceeded the ground permeation capacity. In addition, the river channels were overwhelmed by flowing and increased water volume that was aggravated by the surface water (Whitaker, 1994). The drainage as well as the sewage systems got flooded as a result of the increased amounts of summer rainfall. The streets of Sheffield were flooded with water that was distributed into the dips as well as basins. This made the drainage systems not easily cope with rapid amounts of rainfall. Soil erosion that was prevalent because of the increased amount of water levels in rivers due high rainfall down pours, contributed heavily to the flooding in Sheffield city. The river defenses were overtopped due to raised water levels that caused high and widely spread floods in Sheffield city. Following the high rain together with the over-land flood, the already filled rivers got overfed and later overflowed into the Leeds causing destruction of several properties. The wet summer As a result of the prolonged wet summer that caused the decline of sunshine intensity, contributed to the decrease in the evaporation rates with the association of severe nature of the rainfall downpour triggered the dangerous summer flooding. The instant impact and important risks due to flooding As a result of flooding, the city of Sheffield experienced the bursting of the banks of Ulley Dam causing increased flooding. This exposed flood defenses mechanisms to vulnerability such as; service pipes underneath bridges. The Rota cuts established within the Sheffield city, contributed to the confusion and interruptions that rendered many premises to the severe effects of the flooding in the city. Due to extreme flooding, several properties and businesses were destroyed by floods. Extensive damage to majority of the roads as well as to the infrastructures for the electricity supply was interrupted as a result of the dominated floods in the city. The dangerous surface water that flooded in Hull, greatly contributed to the widespread of destructions and damages that affected 7,000 and more homes with the disruption of 1, 300 businesses. There was extreme flooding in Sheffield city due to the bursting of Don River banks. The flooding posed great interruptions on the power supply infrastructures that led to increased power cutoffs and widespread destruction of the roads in the city. With these increased power supply interruptions and road damages, the viable businesses were destroyed and prohibited. This power cuts to a large extent, negatively impacted the northern parts of the city rendering approximately 48,000 homes with no power supply. The main flooding feature that that really affected the city of Sheffield was identified to be the rapid, sheer volume and the forceful nature of water that flowed into the fluvial river scheme (Whitaker, 1994). The speed of the flow of water down into the river was very rapid that caused numerous losses. This flooding caused devastating effects to the Sheffield city since the city was forced to be divided into two equal areas by the flooded water with the corridor, preventing part of the city from the exposure of the major accident as well as the centre for emergency. As a result this, various roads were defectively damaged and forced them to be inaccessible as illustrated in the diagram below; Fig1. The flooded Sheffield in torrential rain Fig2. The City Council of Sheffield offered support of 100 pounds which was landlord payment to carry out property habitation. The city council staff of Sheffield also visited the entire affected homes and consequently supported the victims with financial packages which were adequately organized. This really helped the 1273 homes that had been severely attacked by flooding and the 200 people that shifted from Winn gardens. More than 1400 people were allowed to put up in various reception centres that were established in the whole city (SCC, 2005). As a result of the severe flooding in the entire city, recovery package of about 1000 pounds was given to aid in the following improvements; i. Establishment of safe electricity ii. Make necessary check-ups on water as well as sewages iii. For emergency outbreaks iv. To eliminate the contaminated items v. Draining of cellars The agencies and the outlines in response to the flooding problem and the responsibilities that were undertaken for recovery In response to the widespread flooding problem in the Sheffield, the within city council reacted in form of the emergency control for the council as the centre for instance; the Silver Command state and Emergency Plan were sensitized within the city. The council had very ideal plans to react to the emergencies of the flooding and it was supported through education with practical exercises of various levels to prepare for any emergency related to flooding (SCC, 2005). The main response of the council was focused on the objectives such as; to reduce the severe impacts caused by flooding in the city, respond immediately to the emergencies or rather the prompt reaction to the crisis and to enable the city recover back quickly to the normal environmental conditions. The council’s response included the following interventions; i. Absolute participation in the entire multi agency organizations ii. Mobilization of a complete emergency plan iii. Establishment of network centre for rehabilitation iv. Communicate directly with both the press and the entire public v. Coordinate with various local authorities concerning mutual assistance programs vi. Sensitization of the aid centre in relation to the plans vii. Utilization of the strategic as well as deliberate resources that were found in the entire city to prevent public destruction, control damage of properties and closely care for the people subjected to the calamities. Thorough strategic plans and interventions for shift from the immediate response and involve recovery as a continuous way to mitigate the emergency situation, were implemented within the early stage. Such interventions included the following; i. Involvement of the key partners in both the response and the recovery programs with associate resources protected ii. Continuous review of the put in place recovery objectives iii. Scheduling of the support and the welfare plans to maintain recovery efforts iv. The recovery phase arrangements were established on the 26th to function in parallel with arrangements for incident management in city. v. The main personnel had to rest on the night of 25th and 26th in order to be responsible on 26th The effectiveness of the environmental management systems that were put in place In Sheffield city, there are systems established for environmental management. Such systems include; Housing as well as Neighborhoods programs that are concerned with the development of pleasing sustainable neighborhoods that provide various housing facilities and any other environmental need of settlement. This environmental management program illustrates the idea of successful neighborhoods and largely contributes to the objectives of the Sheffield city centre. The city aims at creating the security opportunities for the entire people and to incorporate as well as enhance life improvement qualities for the city neighborhoods (Malcolm, 2005). Sheffield City Council The Sheffield City Council is continuously involved in discussions to make sure those connections to supplementary agencies is established in advance. The major response of the council puts the focus on the objectives such as; minimization of the severe impacts due to flooding in the city, respond instantly to the emergencies or rather the promptly reacting to the crisis and enabling the city to recover back quickly to the normal environmental conditions (SCC, 2005). Environmental Agency This is the public environmental management body which is governed locally by the regional flood council with leaders from the City Council of Sheffield. This agency offered 40 million pounds to secure the priority needs in the entire Sheffield regions. It has also aimed at land drainage for the major rivers and road management, the Environmental Agency has sustained a map for the flooding risks that accessible to the entire public for view. The agency handles the alerting systems for the major vulnerable properties; this is especially near Sheaf Gardens of Sheffield. The City Council that deals with transport and the separation of highways creation services, is considered to be responsible for the land drainage management. There are environmental Services with separate authorities on issues of private drainage (EA, 2005). Fire and Rescue management The Fire with rescue Service program is the initial attempt specifically put in place to secure the city’s natural environment. With the increased knowledge and comprehension of the environmental concerns that are collected by the operational fire experts, has greatly contributed to the environmental management. Due to the extensive awareness as a result of partnership that involved memorandum agreement on emergency procedures between the environment bodies and the Fire Rescue agencies, there has been improved response to pollution hazards (FRM, 2008). During the emergency incidents, Fire Rescue controls significantly minimize and mitigate the severe impacts of firewater flow that involves environmentally damaged substances. Such interventions help offer public health advantages, since there is provision of public water for drinking that originate from controlled rivers, groundwater and lakes. The Fire Rescue interventions secure these waters and continuously safeguard any public as well as privately owned drinking water sources leading to improved public health (FRM, 2008). The Fire Rescue controls as well provide controls to pollution that promotes public safety measures. The implementation of these measures aim at protecting the environment with the rules of Fire Rescue bodies and the incorporation of risk management procedures. With all such interventions and other environmental measures like; drainage blockage and leak sealing, significant expenditures are controlled. This simply because the cost for pollution rehabilitation of the environment is extremely high compared to those of a reservoir offered by the Fire Rescue management. Since the environment comprises of water, air and land components, they largely depend on each other. For instance; substances like sulphur dioxide as an environmental pollution can possibly lead to excessive acid in water bodies such as; lakes as well as rivers if allowed to flow into those water bodies (Hamilton, 1995). The lessons learnt and recommendations to prevent future flooding effects on the environment The significance of training and sensitization exercises needs no underestimation as it was evident at the time for floods. The individuals who attended the education and exercises, especially the Exercise Loxley, were considered to be ideal preparation for the response and calamity recovery roles. The entire multi-agency silver management operated 24 hours on week days and on reduced hours on weekends. This was to prepare for the severely anticipated weather conditions that may potentially cause future flooding. With the command and mitigation tactics, the Sheffield City Council participated fully in the entire multi-agency program. The council also listened to the Gold Command for activation by the officer with well experience of Gold Command functioning. This Gold Command for various incident programs was maintained in the city until July 2007 for long-term mitigation of the emergency problem in the city (SCC, 2005). Longer-term concerns have been coordinated via care and the support programs. Such concerns will consider immediate issues, suggesting to the professional support and community welfare as well as reconstruction. Several issues were raised as the suggestions for the implementation of the long-term prevention. Clarification of the identification and the accessibility of information concerning vulnerable people were considered. The significance of addressing the continuous sensitization and its impact on the community was identified. This considered the need for VIP visits and their focus on the entire areas and not basically concentrating on the immediate increased profile areas. Such consideration will eliminate the idea of isolating as well as neglecting some other locations and paying more attention to specific areas. Flood prevention discussions are ongoing, this involves Environment Agency that deal with the plans for Sheffield flood catchment control. This Environment Agency offer lessons that are organized in sessions within four locations in the entirely affected city areas. The Sheffield City Council continuously makes discussions to make sure those connections to supplementary agencies are established in advance. This will take regular highway repair attempts to ensure that duties are coordinated well and avoid piece-meal. Interventions to measure the appropriate time taken for water to flow in River Don are undertaken to help in the planning for flood mitigation. Issues such as; the time taken for water to flow into river catchments, identification as well as evaluation of the systems for flood control and the need for relevant consultation on the affected areas are considered (SCC, 2005). Conclusion The heavy rainstorms contributed to the widespread of the flooding in Sheffield city. The small catchments were the main sources for flooding with quick response to heavy rainfall and overland pour that exceeded the ground permeation capacity. Flood prevention discussions are ongoing, this involves Environment Agency that deal with the plans for Sheffield flood catchment control. Bibliography Sheffield City Council, (2007), Response to flooding, Sheffield, Select Committee on Environment. Prentice Hall, New Jersey. Malcolm, C. (2005), evaluation of current environmental management systems as indicators of environmental performance, Management of Environmental journal, Vol.16, No.3, 211-219. Whitaker, B. (1994), Managing the Environment, Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, Hamilton, J. (1995), Pollution as news: media and stock market reactions to the toxic release inventory data, Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Vol. 28 No.3, pp.98-113. Fire Rescue Manual, (2008), Fire service operations on environmental protection, Volume 2, Ireland, Environmental Agency. Environment Agency, (2008), Managing Flood Risk; Aire Catchment Flood Management Plan, Yorkshire Futures, Yorkshire. Read More