where can i get good information on floods?

Answer 1

Floods are one of the most common hazards. Flood effects can be local, impacting a neighborhood or community, or very large, affecting entire river basins and multiple states. However, all floods are not alike. Some floods develop slowly, sometimes over a period of days. But flash floods can develop quickly, sometimes in just a few minutes and without any visible signs of rain. Flash floods often have a dangerous wall of roaring water that carries rocks, mud, and other debris and can sweep away most things in its path. Overland flooding occurs outside a defined river or stream, such as when a levee is breached, but still can be destructive. Flooding can also occur when a dam breaks, producing effects similar to flash floods.

Be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live, but especially if you live in a low-lying area, near water or downstream from a dam. Even very small streams, gullies, creeks, culverts, dry streambeds, or low-lying ground that appear harmless in dry weather can flood. Every state is at risk from this hazard. Floods pose tremendous danger to people and property. Since 1900, floods have taken more than 10,000 lives in the United States alone. Eighty per cent of flood deaths take place in a vehicle. Just six inches of flood water can knock an adult down. Only two feet of water can float a large sized vehicle. One-third of flooded roads and bridges are so damaged that only fifty per cent of those trying to cross in a vehicle make it to the other side. A flood is defined as a high flow of water that comes from a body of water (Basics of Flooding) and overtops the normal confinements and/or covers land that is normally dry. (Nuhfer, Proctor, and Moser) Floods are the most common and widespread of all natural disasters, besides fire. (Backgrounder: Floods and Flash Floods) They are also the number one related killer.

Heres some different types of floods for you:-

1. Coastal Flood - Hurricanes and tropical storms can produce heavy rains, or drive ocean water onto land. Beaches and coastal houses can be swept away by the water. Coastal flooding can also be produced by sea waves called tsunamis, giant tidal waves that are created by volcanoes or earthquakes in the ocean.

2. Flash Floods in Arroyos - An arroyo is a water-carved gully or a normally dry creek found in arid or desert regions. When storms appear in these areas, the rain water cuts into the dry, dusty soil creating a small, fast-moving river. Flash flooding in an arroyo can occur in less than a minute, with enough power to wash away sections of pavement.

3. River Flood - Flooding along rivers is a natural event. Some floods occur seasonally when winter snows melt and combine with spring rains. Water fills river basins too quickly, and the river will overflow its banks. Often the land around a river will be covered by water for miles around.

4. Urban Flood - As undeveloped land is paved for parking lots, it loses its ability to absorb rainfall. Rain water can not be absorbed into the ground and becomes runoff, filling parking lots, making roads into rivers, and flooding basements and businesses.

A flash flood is the fastest-moving type of flood. It happens when heavy rain collects in a stream or gully, turning the normally calm area into an instant rushing current. The quick change from calm to raging river is what catches people off guard, making flash floods very dangerous. Any flood involves water rising and overflowing its normal path. But a flash flood is a specific type of flood that appears and moves quickly across the land, with little warning that it's coming. Many things can cause a flash flood. Generally they are the result of heavy rainfall concentrated over one area. Most flash flooding is caused by slow-moving thunderstorms, thunderstorms that repeatedly move over the same area, or heavy rains from hurricanes and tropical storms. Dam failures can create the worst flash flood events. When a dam or levee breaks, a gigantic quantity of water is suddenly let loose downstream, destroying anything in its path. Flash flood waters move at very fast speeds. They have the power to move boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings, and obliterate bridges. Walls of water can reach heights of 10 to 20 feet and generally carry a huge amount of debris with them.
The best response to any signs of flash flooding is to move immediately and quickly to higher ground.

A riverine flood occurs when the main stream of large drainage basin swells to overflow from the cumulative input of its many tributaries during periods of spring thaw or heavy rain in humid regions. A riverine flood is a flood that happens gradually. It can take days to build up to a dangerous flood. It gives us just enough time to evacuate and be aware of the flood and its intensity. However this type of flood is the type that causes the most property loss because it usually occurs in flat floodplains that consists of towns, farms and cities.

A tidal flood is the overflow of coastal lands along the ocean or an estuary, These types of floods occur during "unusual high tides or extreme action during heavy storms, tsunamis, and surges caused by hurricanes" (Ibid.). This type of flood occurs in cycles due to the type of flood it is. The normal duration of the flood is between 6-12 hours, however in a continuous cycle that causes a lot of damage. Floods are a natural hazard that people cannot predict, however in some cased there is human intervention that cause floods to happen.

Answer 2

Bible

Course you will have to wade thru the garbage

Answer 3

depends where you live.
HomeServiceCentral.com if your in the MD/DC/VA area.

Answer 4

new orleans silly

Answer 5

http://www.floods.com