Carlisle during Storm Desmond
Carlisle flooded on 5 and 6 December 2015. The statutory investigation combines resident accounts, surveys, observations and rainfall/river telemetry.
Use this as a source-comparison exercise. Eyewitness accounts describe local experience, while a gauge supplies a time series at a specified point; neither alone describes the whole city.
Saved on this browser. An example’s listed role does not certify that it covers every specification dimension.
Evidence and its scope
| Claim | Period and scope | Source |
|---|---|---|
| The official investigation records flooding on 5–6 December 2015 and draws on multiple evidence types. | December 2015; investigation published 2016 | Open source |
Possible requirement roles
- River flooding and managementSeparate the catchment, affected settlement and intervention.; Explain rainfall, flows, exposure and response.; Assess residual risk and avoid promising complete protection.
Recall the evidence
Case-recall questions load here. The sourced evidence remains available below.
Practise using the evidence
Apply a related skill
Scatter plots · Source evaluation
Related lessons
Geographical enquiry: from question to justified conclusion · River landforms: erosion, transport and deposition
Use this case in a different answer
Worked question: How can resident reports and gauge records complement each other?
Residents can identify timing and impacts at streets or properties. Gauges show measured levels or flows through time; their location and relation to flooded sites must be checked.
Keep the evidence precise: The official investigation records flooding on 5–6 December 2015 and draws on multiple evidence types. This refers to Carlisle flood investigation area, December 2015; investigation published 2016. Check the source
Try it yourself
How would you use a resident account and a gauge record together to investigate the timing of flooding at one street?
One possible answer
The resident may describe when water arrived at the street. The gauge records river conditions at a named measuring point. Compare the times and locations before linking them: the gauge reading does not directly measure water depth in the street.
Check your answer: did you address the question, use accurate evidence and explain the link?
Build a better answer
Use a fresh resource to practise selecting evidence and explaining its significance.