Floods are common to many parts of the world, especially the United States, it occurs in many different parts. Generally, floods are temporary; it is the submerging of large portions of land that are normally dry. Floods may be caused by high volumes of rainfall, ice melting to fast, ice jams, breakage in dams, rise in the sea level; among others. When floods occur, detrimental effects may accompany it, one which gravely affects the residents in such vicinity.
Natural floods may be of three types, these are: Riverine flooding, flash flooding, and ice and debris jam. When riverine flooding occurs, there is an increase in the volume of waters in the stream, with normal channels exceeded, it spills into adjacent lands. Flash floods is an effect of rising volume streams, it surpasses its channels and spills into close by areas, flash floods may be caused by heavy rainfall, accompanied by hurricane or tropical storms. On the other hand, ice and debris jam flooding is the collection and accumulation of debris or ice at an obstruction, which in turn staunches water flow, causing significant flooding.
Though most floods cause destruction to persons and property, the most severe types are those that are caused by rainfall on solid-frozen grounds in the winter time, or rainfall associated with warm conditions, which in turn rapidly melts snow at low altitudes. In both instances, large quantities of water are introduced, causing the stream channel system to exceed its capacity.
Overall, floods are effects of large quantities of water; it is caused by it. Though today’s infrastructure has allowed for adequate drainage systems, these are sometimes insufficient when unexpected flooding occurs, as observed in Katrina. So what is the best safety measure? Preparedness is the best safety measure for those that reside in flood prone areas, preparedness is being ready to evacuate at a moments notice.
Natural floods may be of three types, these are: Riverine flooding, flash flooding, and ice and debris jam. When riverine flooding occurs, there is an increase in the volume of waters in the stream, with normal channels exceeded, it spills into adjacent lands. Flash floods is an effect of rising volume streams, it surpasses its channels and spills into close by areas, flash floods may be caused by heavy rainfall, accompanied by hurricane or tropical storms. On the other hand, ice and debris jam flooding is the collection and accumulation of debris or ice at an obstruction, which in turn staunches water flow, causing significant flooding.
Though most floods cause destruction to persons and property, the most severe types are those that are caused by rainfall on solid-frozen grounds in the winter time, or rainfall associated with warm conditions, which in turn rapidly melts snow at low altitudes. In both instances, large quantities of water are introduced, causing the stream channel system to exceed its capacity.
Overall, floods are effects of large quantities of water; it is caused by it. Though today’s infrastructure has allowed for adequate drainage systems, these are sometimes insufficient when unexpected flooding occurs, as observed in Katrina. So what is the best safety measure? Preparedness is the best safety measure for those that reside in flood prone areas, preparedness is being ready to evacuate at a moments notice.
