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 Flooding
What is a flood?

• A flood is an overflow of water that covers land that is usually dry.

• Some floods develop slowly, while others, such as flash floods, can
develop in just a few minutes and without any signs of rain.

• Floods can be local, impacting a neighbourhood or community, or very

large, affecting entire river basins.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey, The U.S. Army, DVIDSHUB(@flikr.com) – granted under creative commons licence - attribution
 Flooding
What causes flooding?
• Flooding is usually caused by heavy rain; the faster the rainwater
reaches the river channel, the more likely it is to flood.

• A flood occurs when a river bursts its banks and the water spills
onto the floodplain.

The following factors may encourage flooding:

• A steep-sided channel - a river channel surrounded by steep slopes causes
fast surface run off (water that the soil is unable to absorb).
• A lack of vegetation - trees and plants catch or drink water. If there is
little vegetation, then excess water will be high.
• A drainage basin - Drains and sewers take water quickly to the river
channel. Houses with sloping roofs further increase the amount of surface
run off.
 Flooding
Floodplain – A floodplain is an area
of land adjacent to a stream or river,
and experiences flooding.

Channel – A channel is landform

following the path of a river or
stream. Channels can be natural or
human-made.

Vegetation – The plants of an area or a region.

Basin - A river basin is the land that water flows across or under
on its way to a river.
 Flooding
The Impact of Flooding

Floods can cause devastating damage to homes and possessions. However,

flooding can also have positive impacts on an area.

Flooding deposits fine silt onto the floodplain, making it very fertile and
excellent for farming. People living on or near floodplains may rely upon regular
flooding to help support their farming and therefore provide food.
 Flooding
What kinds of damage have occurred in the
area?

If you were in a rescue team who have just arrived at

the scene, what kinds of help might you need to give?

Photo courtesy of theritters (@flikr.com) – granted under creative commons licence - attribution
 Flood Prevention

Dam construction - Dams are often built along the course of a river.
Water is held back by the dam and released in a controlled way. This
controls flooding. Water is usually stored in a reservoir behind the
dam. This water can then be used to generate hydroelectric power, or
for recreation purposes. Building a dam can be very expensive.

River engineering - The river channel may be widened or deepened,

allowing it to carry more water. The course of the river can also be
altered, diverting floodwaters away.
 Flood Prevention

Afforestation - Trees are planted near to the river.

This means greater interception of flood water.

Managed flooding - The river is allowed to flood

naturally in places, to prevent flooding in other areas.

Planning - Local authorities introduce rules to control

urban development near floodplains. This reduces the
chance of flooding and the risk of damage to property.
 Flood Prevention

A dam is used to prevent flooding.

Photo courtesy of Airwolfhound (@flikr.com) – granted under creative commons licence - attribution
 Flood Safety Rules

If flooding occurs, go to
higher ground and avoid areas
subject to flooding. If water rises in your home
Do not attempt to walk across before you evacuate, go to the
flowing streams or drive top floor, attic, or roof.
through flooded roadways.
 Flood Safety Rules

Listen to a battery-operated
radio for the latest storm
If you've come into contact
information.
with floodwaters, wash your
Turn off all utilities at the
hands with soap and
main power switch and close
disinfected water.
the main gas valve if advised
to do so.
 Flooding Around The World
Bangladesh

• Bangladesh regularly floods. The land is densely populated. Most

of the land forms a delta from three main rivers - Ganges,
Brahmaputra and Meghna.

• Flooding is an annual event as the rivers burst their banks. This

seasonal flooding is beneficial as it provides water for the rice and
jute (two main crops in the area). It also helps to keep the soil
fertile.

• The low-lying land means it is easily flooded. Half the country is

less than 6m above sea level. The snowmelt in the Himalayan
Mountains adds to the water in the main rivers. There are human
causes too; building on the floodplains and cutting down trees
both increase the effects of flooding.

Photo courtesy of Sustainable sanitation (@flikr.com) – granted under creative commons licence - attribution
 Flooding Around The World
New Orleans, USA
• The impacts of flooding on coastal communities can be devastating, as seen
in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

• New Orleans was one of the worst affected areas because it is below sea level
and the defences were unable to cope.

• Despite an evacuation order, many of the poorest people remained in the city.

• People sought refuge in the Superdome stadium. Conditions were unhygienic,

and there was a shortage of food and water. Lots of people were hungry and
thirsty, and some people resorted to looting. Tension was high and many felt
vulnerable and unsafe.

• 1 million people were made homeless and about 1,200 people drowned in the
floods.

• Oil facilities were damaged and as a result petrol prices rose in the UK and
USA.

Photo courtesy of Sustainable sanitation (@flikr.com) – granted under creative commons licence - attribution