Extreme Weather Events in the Channel Islands - Matthew Babcock
The Channel Islands, comprising of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Herm, are historically most vulnerable to extreme weather events such as heatwaves, flooding, and storms. As I have discussed before, the islands are located in the English Channel and experience a maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers. However, due to their location, they are exposed to the risks of extreme weather events that can result in significant damage and even the loss of life. One of the significant risks that the Channel Islands face is the risk of heatwaves. Heatwaves are technically defined as prolonged periods of high temperatures that can result in heat exhaustion, dehydration, and even death to humans. For example, in the summer of 2019, the Channel Islands experienced a heatwave that saw temperatures soar to over 30°C for several days. (Hot AF) The heatwave caused several heat-related illnesses, and the authorities issued warnings urging people to stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.
Flooding is another extreme weather event that poses significant risk to the Channel Islands. Due to their low-lying nature, the islands are particularly vulnerable to flooding during heavy rainfall events. An example of this is in 2012, where the islands experienced widespread flooding that caused significant damage to properties and infrastructure. The island of Jersey, in particular, was badly hit, with several roads and buildings being washed away. The flooding also disrupted transport services, causing severe disruption to the islands' economy.
Storms are also a significant risk to the Channel Islands. The islands are exposed to the full force of Atlantic storms, which can cause significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. An example I found of this was in October 2014, where the islands experienced one of the worst storms on record, with winds reaching up to 80 mph. The storm caused widespread damage, with power outages, fallen trees, and flooding affecting the islands.
Another extreme weather event that the Channel Islands are surprisingly vulnerable to is snowfall. Although rare, heavy snowfall can cause significant disruption to the islands, particularly in terms of transport services. In 2018, the islands experienced heavy snowfall that caused widespread disruption to transport services, with flights and ferries being cancelled or delayed.
In conclusion, the British Channel Islands are exposed to various risks associated with extreme weather events such as heatwaves, flooding, storms, and snowfall. These events can cause significant damage to properties, infrastructure, and the islands' economy, as well as posing a threat to the health and safety of the islands' residents. Thanks for reading!
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_natural_disasters_in_the_British_Isles
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/understanding-climate/uk-and-global-extreme-events-heavy-rainfall-and-floods
https://community.netweather.tv/topic/98605-storm-mathis-channel-islands/
https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides%2Feurope%2Funited-kingdom%2Fchannel-islands%2Fhistory-and-culture
https://www.historyextra.com/period/medieval/catastrophic-extreme-weather-events-british-history/
Hi Matthew,
ReplyDeleteGreat post and I thought it was really interesting to write about the channel islands becuase it's close to France must have being fun to write about. I didn't knew some of the things you wrote about and found it cool.Good job overall!
Hi Matthew! I enjoyed reading your blog this week and liked how you went very in depth with each extreme weather event that occurs in the Channel Islands. It is crazy that winds reached 80mph for a storm. I could only imagine how much damage there was. Great response!
ReplyDelete