Flooding

Strong winds can blow sea water up the Thames and cause dangerous floods. In 1953 a bad storm pushed a lot of sea water into the mouth of the Thames. Around 300 people drowned, as well as 11,000 cattle, 9000 sheep, 2400 pigs, 34,000 poultry and 70 horses. The flooding affected 160,000 acres of farmland, 24,000 houses, 200 major industrial premises, 200 miles of railway, 12 gas works and two large power stations.
Action is needed to prevent flooding.

Flood defences / Preventing Floods

Thames Flood Barrier

To prevent London flooding the Thames Barrier was built across the Thames at Woolwich at a cost of around £535 million. The Thames Flood Barrier is a tidal barrier which prevents the sea from coming in on really high tides.
The width of the Barrier from bank to bank is about 520 metres (a third of a mile).

Defence Walls in London

London is also protected by 150 kilometres (94 miles) of flood walls and embankments. A high wall runs almost all the way along the Thames in London, except for a few high spots where it’s not needed.

Did you know? ..... London is sinking at an estimated 12 inches (30cm) every 100 years.