Floods are among the Earth’s most frequent, costly, and destructive natural disasters. In terms of damage to property and lives lost, it’s just behind tornadoes as a top natural disaster. Floods can affect any place at any time, and it occurs following a hurricane, thawing snow, or several days of heavy, sustained rain. Most floods may develop in hours or even days, giving people some time to prepare or evacuate. Others occur suddenly and with little warning. Are you in a flood susceptible area? Then here are 10 interesting facts about floods and what to do to survive.
There are No Safe-zones in Floods
There is no such thing as safe-zones when it comes to flooding. One interesting fact about floods is that any location can be struck by it. Even properties that are not located in flood zones can be at risk of flooding. This is because wherever it can rain, it can flood.
Other areas remain at risk even if flash floods commonly occur near rivers or streams. Dense urban cities are often at risk for flash flooding. This is because urban areas have more predominant impermeable surfaces like asphalt roads, parking lots and houses, that decrease the capacity of the land to absorb rainwater – thereby increasing rainwater flow.
Floodwater Can Sweep Away People and Even Cars
Yes, it only takes 12 inches of floodwater moving at 9 feet per second (speed of flash floods) to sweep away your car or cause to float it. And just 6 inches of rapidly moving floodwater can sweep someone off their feet.
Do not underestimate the depth of floodwater; it may be deeper than it appears.
Avoid going out or driving through floodwaters. There may be hiding additional hazards like sharp debris, washed-out road, or even open electrical wires.
Nearly all who died during flash floods are those people who tried to outrun the waters rather than going up to a higher place.
It Can Also Occur During Winter
Floods can happen even during the winter season. This can happen because of a sudden rise in temperature.
A heavy rainfall when spring is coming can melt the snow quickly and can cause flooding. Ice jams also happen when sudden warm temperatures cause ice formations in rivers and streams to break apart. When these large chunks of ice get stuck along bridges, flooding can occur due to water being held back.
Floods Can Kill Thousands at Once
One of the known facts about floods is that it can kill thousands of individuals in one blow. Killer floods cause an average of 82 deaths per year, making it the deadliest weather-related disaster in the U.S.
The deadliest natural disaster in American history was the Hurricane of 1900 in Galveston, Texas, where a Category 4 storm killed almost 8,000 people. The flood caused by storm surge killed many on trains and on the streets attempting to evacuate the city.
Floods Can Damage a Whole City
Floods can cause not only loss of lives but extensive damage even to the most advanced and urban cities. It can destroy bridges, roadways, residential homes, commercial buildings, and even sewage and power systems.
Twelve inches of floodwater on a 2,000 square foot building alone can cause almost $50,000 worth of damage or even more. It causes more than $40 billion in damage worldwide, annually. In the U.S. alone, losses due to floods reach up to $8 billion per year.
Floods Can Occur in Deserts Too
Flooding is a deadly weather threat to humans, and it only takes a small amount of water to trigger one in a dry place.
One of the amazing flood facts recorded in history is the flooding of the driest desert in the world. In March 2019, Chile’s Atacama desert experienced flooding due to sporadic rainfall, which left six people dead. Desert sand doesn’t readily absorb water, and some of these places only see a couple of inches of rain over multiple years.
Rainfalls are rare phenomena in deserts. But sometimes, unique metrological events line up perfectly, causing extreme flooding.
Flash Floods Can Reach up to 20 Feet
Flash floods are the most dangerous and destructive kind of waves because it is a combination of the destructive power of a surge and incredible speed and unpredictability of floodwater.
It usually occurs when excessive water fills dry creeks and river beds along with flowing streams and rivers, causing the water to rise with just a short amount of time rapidly. This thing can happen with only a little or no warning at all.
But one of the interesting facts about floods is that it can bring walls of water from 10 to 20 feet high! This height can scour a canyon suddenly.
You can Get a Flood Insurance
Roughly 17% of all urban land in the U.S. is located in a high-risk flood zone. If you are situated in a high-risk area, and you have a federally backed mortgage, then buying flood insurance is a must. Damages caused by floods are usually not covered by standard homeowners’ insurance; thus, acquiring flood insurance is an important part of coverage for those residing in regions most prone to flooding.
While flood insurance costs vary, flood insurance averages $600 a year. And it takes around thirty days before flood insurance can take effect.
Floodwaters Are the Dirtiest
If you think floodwaters are clean because it came from rain, then you are mistaken.
During and after flooding, water can be contaminated with microorganisms such as bacteria, sewage, heating oil, agricultural or industrial waste, chemicals, and other substances that can cause serious illnesses.
Floodwaters can potentially increase the transmission of infectious and water-borne diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, and leptospirosis.
It can also hide other debris that may cause injuries to people. If you must enter into floodwater, remember to wear rubber boots, gloves, and other protective gear for your protection.
More Intense Floods in the Future
Over the past century, the planet has experienced more intense and frequent storms.
Americans have seen a 20% increase in the most massive downpour over the last fifty years.
With the advent of climate change, experts say that the size of the country’s floodplains will grow eventually by 40 to 45% over the next ninety years, putting more people and properties at risk.
How To Survive Floods
Floods can affect any place at any time, and it occurs following a hurricane, thawing snow, or several days of heavy, sustained rain.
Most floods may take hours or even days to develop, giving people some time to prepare or evacuate. Others occur suddenly and with little warning. Learn what the things to do to keep you and your loved ones safe are!
Prepare in Advance
Being prepared before a flood can make a huge difference between life and death. Assembling an emergency preparedness kit and creating household evacuation plans is needed in the event of an emergency. You need to survive when a storm or a flood strikes, and this means having your food, water, and other important things for at least 72 hours.
It’s also essential to stay informed about your community’s risk and response plans.
Talk with your family about what to during flood. Discussing the topic ahead of time helps reduce fear, especially for younger children.
What To Do During a Flood?
When a flood warning has been issued in your area, don’t panic. Follow the following safety procedures.
- Turn off the power and water lines as instructed by local authorities.
- Boil tap water for drinking until water sources have been declared safe.
- Avoid contact with floodwater. It may be contaminated.
- Listen to the news from your local radio or T.V. stations.
- Don’t use gas or electrical appliances
- Get rid of any food that is contaminated with floodwater.
- Don’t walk, swim, or drive through floodwater.
- Get out of the car immediately if you are caught in the flood.
- Don’t walk on beaches or riverbanks.
- Avoid contact with floodwater.
- Don’t allow children to play in or near floodwater.
Be prepared when authorities give flood warnings in your community. Head for higher ground and stay there until you are told that the area is safe.
What To Do During a Flood?
When there is an issue of a flood warning in your area, do not panic. Follow the following safety procedures.
- Turn off the power and water lines as instructed by local authorities.
- Boil tap water for drinking until water sources have been declared safe.
- Avoid contact with floodwater. It may be contaminated.
- Listen to local T.V. or radio stations for updates.
- Avoid using electrical appliances.
- Dispose of any food that has come in contact with floodwater.
- Don’t walk, swim, or drive through floodwater.
- Don’t let children play in or near floodwater.
What To Do After a Flood?
When the floodwaters die down, and the area is safe, do the following steps for your safety.
- Let friends and family know you’re safe.
- For updates, listen to local news.
- If evacuated, return when authorities say it is secure.
- Avoid stepping on puddles outside your homes if powerlines are open.
- Check or inspect your house for any damage
- Do not use gas or electrical appliances until they have been checked for safety.
- Dispose of any food that has come into contact with floodwater.
- Take pictures of damages for your insurance company.
Conclusion
Floods can affect any place at any time. Thus, it is crucial to be prepared at any time.
We hope that this article on the 10 interesting facts about floods and what to do to survive will give you enough information to prepare you and your loved ones adequately.
Remember, you and your family’s safety is of top priority. Being prepared for a flood will help you and your family remain calm and rational when this tragedy strikes. Hopefully, no major natural calamities will hit your area, but if one does, being prepared will keep you safe and let you recover as quickly as possible. Know more about natural disasters.