Severe Weather and the Different Floods Associated With It

7/6/2018 (Permalink)

Severe Weather happens no matter where you are from. One major issue severe weather can bring is flooding. Did you know floods have became one of the top natural disasters right behind tornadoes? Floods have not only caused a lot of property damage in the United States, but it has also caused a lot of lives to be lost. Some regions experience these types of different flooding more than others. However at least one of these could happen even in the city you live in.

Coastal Flood

If you live in a state that has a coast boarding the ocean this more than likely has happened a time or two. Tropical storms, hurricanes, and tsunamis are usually associated with causing this type of flooding to occur. Coastal floods are caused by higher than average tides. Onshore winds and heavy rainfall cause the tides to worsen. In a hurricane 9 out of 10 deaths are caused by the fast moving waters these coastal floods produce and bring onshore.

River Floods

Yup you guessed it! A river flood happens when a river overflows. A lot of rain in one place can cause this to happen. Along with tropical storms or hurricanes dumping its contents quickly, or even when the we get a big snow fall all winter and it finally melts.

Inland Flood

Inland floods are very similar to river floods. In fact river floods can actually cause inland floods to occur. Inland flooding happens when the soil becomes to saturated that it cannot hold anymore rain. Steady rain over a prolonged time or heavy precipitation in a short period of time can cause this problem. Any area can be affected to this type of flooding. 

Flash Flood

Flash flooding is usually described as a heavy amount of rainfall happening over a period of time. Usually can be up to 6 hours. Flash floods can rip through mountain canyons, urban streets, and river bends sweeping up everything along the way. Flash floods in some cases don't even need heavy rain pour to happen. It can happen from any sudden release of water like the breaking up of an ice dam, or a dam failure.

If you ever caught in flood warning territories there are a few things you can do to try and stay safe.

• Make sure to pay attention to the radio or television about the flood
• Put together an emergency kit and make plans with you family on what to do
• Avoid contact with flood water it maybe contaminated with sewage, oil, gasoline, ect
• Move important items to higher ground
• Never build structures in a flood plain
• If you have time turn off and unplug utilities and electrical appliances