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Human beings in areas at risk The centre of Morpeth is an urbanised area The river channel has been modified - installation of weirs (East Mill and Olivers Mill) and a flood alleviation scheme (EA, 2005) Flooding has been a regular occurrence in Morpeth since the town was first built High Stanners and Mitford Road areas are most vulnerable - unprotected by flood alleviation measures The rest of the town is protected to varying levels - average 1 in 60 year standard or return period (NLRF, 2008) An analysis of public awareness carried out after the 2008 flood event found residents had been aware a flood could happen but not prepared for its severity Only a minority of residents had made personal preparations to protect their property and themselves in case of emergency Most people were not aware of the Flood Action Plan (JBA, 2009) 2

The dark blue is Flood Zone 3 and is the 1 in 100 year outline. This is similar to the 2008 event. The light blue is Flood Zone 2 and is the 1 in 1000 year outline. Purple/pink line marks defences. High Stanners and Mitford Road areas 3

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Conflicting accounts Local people speak of the damage, John Healey MP Floods Recovery Minister speaks of more positive aspects. UTUBE video +flood&lr=&um=1&ie=UTF- 8&ei=DIQRS__FDNTRjAfDpfzJAw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBIQqw QwAA#source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUK262&q=video+Morpeth+flood&lr=&um=1&ie=UTF- 8&ei=DIQRS__FDNTRjAfDpfzJAw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBIQqw QwAA&qvid=video+Morpeth+flood&vid= flood&lr=&um=1&ie=UTF- 8&ei=DIQRS__FDNTRjAfDpfzJAw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBIQqw QwAA#source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUK262&q=video+Morpeth+flood&lr=&um=1&ie=UTF- 8&ei=DIQRS__FDNTRjAfDpfzJAw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBIQqw QwAA&qvid=video+Morpeth+flood&vid= But the BBC Inside Out programme paints a different, more critical, picture of the response There is a lot of debate around the response 5

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Experiences of the event People had up to 7 feet or over 2 metres of floodwater in their properties Over 80% of those interviewed had to move out of their home due to the flood for periods between one night to 8 months (we believe some people are still out of their homes) In describing the September 2008 flood, 82% rated it as very severe 7

Experiences of the event Almost half (48%) said they had received a warning Most (81%) received the warning from the Environment Agency The next largest group received theirs from the police, and small numbers from the Local Authority; Fire and Rescue; family, friends and neighbours 77% acted on the warning But, of course, many did not receive a warning and this has been a source of anger and stress 8

Photo source: Judi Evans The aftermath 9

Thinking about your experience of the flood, how serious on a scale of 1 to 10 would you rate having to leave home? (percentages) A quarter of people rated this at the highest level 10

Thinking about your experience of the flood, how serious on a scale of 1 to 10 would you rate stress of the flood event itself? (percentages) A quarter of people rated this at the highest level 11

Thinking about your experience of the flood, how serious on a scale of 1 to 10 would you rate all the problems and discomfort whilst trying to get the house back to normal (percentages) A quarter of people rated this at the highest level 12

Photo sources: M. Fordham; flickr.com/photos/johndal/ /; ries /september_2008_flooding_gallery.shtml 13

So how did people deal with this? 60% sought help of some kind Many mention families (especially daughters) The Red Cross is mentioned a lot! Thought Red Cross were fantastic Red Cross & Lions best - very helpful to us during traumatic time Flood group were marvellous help Everyone rallied around and helped each other I haven't had any support - apart from my daughter I didn't know there was any support 14

What support would you have liked to receive to make a difference in your recovery? A warning would have helped! Better workman, we got cowboys to do the work from insurance companies Continued support would have been good - it only lasted a couple of weeks Help with kids would have been a help Help to take me out to shops to look in on me now and again rather than relying on my neighbours I felt confused and had too many decisions to make alone Just more information on before and after flood - what happens More emotional support and help in general - felt if you shouted more you got more help More financial help and help to clean up - in your 80's you have to rely on family Help in finding suitable accommodation Flood prevention in the river Grants to protect our home from flood Would have liked to see more people around like police Would like to be told it won't happen again 15

So how did people deal with this? The quality of the neighbourhood itself seems to have been a benefit The data show people feeling they trust the neighbourhood, that people get on well During and since the flood a number of people have got to know their neighbours better and speak to them more Later analysis will test hypotheses that the quality of social support can lessen mental health impacts which we look at next 16

Did you talk to anyone about the flood experience? A surprising number didnt Perhaps, despite the strong neighbourhood attitudes, it is because they live alone and dont get to speak to many people Perhaps because they just dont want to talk about it 17

Perhaps more surprising is that there was little difference between males and females on this question 18

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Physical and mental health Only 5 people (2%) of our sample were physically injured due to the flood Some respondents reported that people had died after (not during) the disaster – but these would not be officially recorded as flood-related Just over a quarter reported someone in their household becoming sick due to the flood but most of these illnesses were stress-related: feeling depressed, feeling anxious, high/unusual stress levels and insomnia 20

How the event was experienced Life threatening experience? Intense anxiety, helplessness or disgust? 21

How traumatic was this experience for you at the time? Very traumatic 22