What caused the Carlisle floods 2005?

The Carlisle floods of January 2005 Carlisle is situated on the flood plain of the River Eden with three rivers meeting in the city. The flooding followed prolonged heavy rain, and was caused by a combination of floodwater from the Rivers Eden, Pettereril and Caldew and localised flooding from sewers and road drainage.

Why is Carlisle vulnerable to flooding?

Flooding History Carlisle is at the confluence of three major rivers, the Rivers Eden, Caldew and Petteril, and is therefore highly prone to flooding.

What areas of Carlisle are affected by flooding?

The areas at risk of flooding are at the confluence of the Rivers Eden and Caldew at Willowholme, and the confluence of the Little Caldew, the River Petteril and the River Eden at Durranhill, Botcherby and Warwick Road.

When did Carlisle flood?

Introduction. Carlisle has a history of flooding with large scale flood events occurring in 1968, 2005 and 2015 flooding both homes, businesses and impacting the wider community. Following the 2005 flooding, the Environment Agency built a new Flood Risk Management Scheme on the Rivers Eden, Petteril and Caldew.

When did the Carlisle flood happen in 2005?

Over the years Carlisle has experienced some severe flooding, but none worse than in January 2005 when over 1,800 properties in the city flooded. Power and telephone lines were disrupted; road and rail networks were closed. Warwick Road and Surrounding flooded area in Carlisle 9th January 2005.

Where are the flood catchment areas in Carlisle?

The Carlisle floods of January 2005 Carlisle is situated on the flood plain of the River Eden with three rivers meeting in the city. The catchment covers approximately 2400km2 and is home to approximately 244,000 people. The catchment is mainly rural, with only 1% classified as urban: the main urban areas are Carlisle, Penrith and Appleby.

Why was there so much rain in Carlisle?

The rainfall was prolonged over the high ground of the nearby Lake District and Pennines, draining into the River Eden on which Carlisle is situated. Places in western Scotland and north Wales also recorded high rainfall amounts from this event because of similar conditions in a south-westerly airstream. Impac ts

How much money has been spent on Carlisle flood defences?

Mr Cowperthwaite said the new flood defences had been tested by “extreme weather” on three occasions since they were installed. He added: “That amounts to about £180m of flood damage avoided, so money well spent. “You can never say never to flooding happening, but what we can say is Carlisle is a well protected city.