Floods and Staying Protected: Information About Surviving Floods

A flood is a an accumulation of a large amount of water that submerges land. Floods are usually caused when lakes and rivers rise higher than normal, sometimes breaking levees. Floods are caused when an area receives large amounts of precipitation, whether it is from rainfall or melting snow. Floods can cause major damage to crops, buildings, and people.

Benefits from Floods

Before talking about the negative aspects of flooding, first we must talk about the benefits. Although generally disruptive, floods do have benefits. Floods can recharge ground water, making soil more fertile and providing nutrients to the ground. This is especially beneficial to areas that have been deprived from nutrients. Freshwater floods are an important part of the ecosystem and are a key factor in maintaining floodplain biodiversity. Places in the world that are very arid welcome floods. Many ancient communities depended upon periodic flooding.

Negative Effects of Floods

Although floods are an essential part of the ecosystems of the world, much damage is resulted from them. The deadliest flood to date, worldwide, was the 1931 Floods of China. Between 2,500,000 and 3,700,000 people were killed in those floods. In the floods, people usually die from drowning. Floods can also easily spread diseases and cause epidemics. Floods can destroy almost anything; bridges, cars, sewers, buildings, roads, canals, homes, and many other structures.

The people who survive from the initial effects from Floods are not "in the clear". Drinking water can be contaminated. Diseases can spread. The floods could have washed away crops, leaving for a shortage of food. Trees that are not tolerant of floods can be killed.

Even when the death toll becomes static, floods still leave an effect. Devastating floods leads to economic problems. Most of the world is not economically stable enough to deal with disastrous floods.

How to Prepare for a Flood

Make sure everyone knows the emergency contact numbers.

Learn how to safely get from your house to high ground.

Establish a meeting place in case family members get separated.

Make arrangements for housing if you need to evacuate your home.

Make sure everyone in your family knows how to turn off gas, electricity, and water lines.

What to do During a Flood

If you have a battery powered radio, keep it tuned to a local station.

If you are caught in rapidly rising water, move upstairs or to the roof. Take something to keep you warm, weatherproof clothing, a flashlight, a cellular phone, and a battery powered radio. Call 911

If advised to evacuate...evacuate. Do not wait till the waters become too high for ordinary vehicles to travel in.

If you evacuate by car, do not drive where water is over the road or past barricaded road signs. If your vehicle happens to stall, get out and walk to safety in the direction you came from. Follow recommended routes.

When trapped in a flood at home or other building, close the main gas valve. Turn off all utilities at the main power switch. Do not touch any electrical equipment unless it is in a dry area or you are standing on a piece of dry wood while wearing rubber-soled shoes and rubber gloves.

Conclusion

Although floods are a natural phenomenon and are essential to ecosystems, they can become very hazardous to human lives. The key to surviving and major flood is to prepare ahead of time. Always remember, if you are told to evacuate...evacuate.

Works Cited:

"Flood." Wikipedia. n.d. web
06 Oct. 2009 < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood#cite_note-17>

"How to Prepare For a Flood." eHow. n.d. web
06 Oct. 2009 < http://www.ehow.com/how_2046894_prepare-flood.html>