Flash Flood

Flood is a natural calamity that causes physical damage to mankind and other living beings. It occurs due to heavy rainfall and thunderstorm. As a result, water levels rise and flow into low-lying area, usually a village or a city situated below.

Flash flood is the fastest type of flood. Flash flood can occur due to failure of a dam, levee, thunderstorm, affecting a localized area within seconds. In the United States, people face the morbidity of flash flood after a heavy rainfall in spring. Flash flood has devastating power to change the direction of rivers and can bring a large area under mud immediately.

Facts on Flash Flood

Surveys reveal that more than 70,000 Americans become shelterless due to flash floods and more than 120 individuals are killed in a year. Unlike common floods, a flash flood repeatedly occurs within a short time span and can create havoc during the rainy season. Within seconds, water levels rise and create chaos by wiping out people as well as their property. There are different types of flash flood, such as intense rainfall flood, glacial lake outburst flood, landslide dam outburst flood, etc. In the United States, flash flood occurs during winter due to fast melting of ice.

Damages due to Flash Flood

Flash flood creates havoc among people. It affects the agricultural sector, damages private property and infrastructure, such as roads, drainage system, etc. There are two types of flash flood damages, i.e. direct and indirect damages. Direct damages caused by high speed of floodwater include:

• Destruction of the drainage system in the cities.
• Water contamination with chemical waste, paint, pesticide, gasoline, etc.
• Drowning of people, pets and animals.
• Destruction of farmland and crops.

Flash flood also has an indirect effect in a number of ways. As a result of flash flood, the following can happen:

• Roads and rail lines are broken and hence the whole transportation system gets disrupted.
• Drinking water may get polluted, which leads to many health hazards.
• The sudden onrush of flood can damage crops, which may lead to scarcity of food and starvation.
• Electrical and gas service may get interrupted.
• People may lose their business or occupation.
• Growth of economic productivity becomes slow.

The most devastating impact of flash flood on the geographical location of the area is that it changes the direction of a river. This can cause heavy economic losses. Over a longer period of time, insurance companies may try to protect themselves by increasing rates of flood insurance. In areas more prone to this climatic hazard, safety measures need to be considered.

Safety Measures

Installing a flash flood warning system in the community is of prime importance. During the flash flood, some safety measures to save life and property can be followed:

• Pack your valuable items, such as personal documents, certificates in a sealed bag.
• Turn-off the main switch that controls the electricity system of your house.
• Make a food plan.
• Take help of the emergency services immediately, if you get the warning of flash flood.
• While waiting for emergency services, you can take shelter on a higher ground.

Though flash flood does create a panicky situation, if the safety measures are followed, life and property can be saved. The only requirement is our alertness. The more you are alert, the less damage you will have to deal with.