What damage can floods do?
How Floods Damage Buildings
Floods can damage buildings in many ways and a number of different factors will ultimately
determine the full extent of the damage. These factors include, the length of time areas of a
building remain underwater, the specific materials that fixtures, fittings, other contents and even
the building itself is made from and even the temperature of the flood water. With this in mind,
different areas of a building are likely to be impacted in different ways.
Potential flood damage to different areas of your property:
Flooring
When wood flooring becomes wet, it will begin to absorb the water. This will cause it to swell,
crack and leave a warped, misshapen appearance. As for carpeted flooring, fabric materials
may dry up without any sign of damage, but as the drying process will be harder with carpet
trapping the water beneath, it’s likely that it will need to be removed.
Furniture
Most cabinets, cupboards, wardrobes and doors are made from wood or metal, so damage is
likely to come from extended exposure to water. If any layers are on the wood, this is likely to
become loose and fall off, and if the wood is laminated, the visual appearance will lose its
quality. As for metal furniture and other items, continued contact with water may eventually lead
to rust.
Appliances
Due to the electrical and mechanical elements in these items, contact with water could lead to
appliances being completely broken beyond repair. All electrical appliances should be handled
with care and the mains electricity should be turned off before attempting to move or operate
them.
A downstairs basement severely damaged by flooding.
What damage can flash floods cause?
Flash floods can cause extreme damage to properties and the surrounding area. Although this
means that the interior of a building may be in very poor condition, flash floods can lead to water
several feet high, potentially causing damage to the building’s infrastructure. As such, you
should be even more wary of entering a building that has been affected by flash floods, as it
could pose a threat to your safety.
In 2004 there was an event called The May 2004 Caribbean flood. This was a flood event that
affected the Caribbean Islands and Hispaniola from May 18, 2004, to May 25, 2004. Moving
quickly from Central America, a low-pressure storm system brought heavy rainfall and
thunderstorms to Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic resulting in rainfall amounts
exceeding 500 mm (19.7 inches) within a 7-day period. Cities in flood-plain areas like Mapou,
Haiti, and Jimani, of the Dominican Republic, experienced over 250 mm (10 inches) of rain
between May 24 and 25, causing the Solie River to overflow, resulting in devastating
environmental and infrastructure damage. With hundreds dead and thousands more displaced
in Mapou and Jimani, the death toll was at its highest in decades, partly because
of deforestation. Steep valley ridges and barren hillsides channeled rainwater towards valleys,
creating landslides that overwhelmed and flooded cities particularly in high-poverty areas where
buildings were wooden or makeshift temporary homes.In addition, inhabitants residing on these
flood plains were subject to increased risk from water-borne diseases due to inadequate waste
removal management and contaminated water supply due to excessive debris caused by
flooding.
Types of flood
COASTAL FLOODING
A coastal flood is an accumulation of water on land caused by waves, tides, storm surge, or
heavy rainfall. Coastal areas are prone to flooding due to how close they are to the ocean, and
due to climate change the risk is expected to continue to grow.
Coastal flooding can have serious consequences from drownings and injuries to
contaminated-water-caused sicknesses to mental health problems. Some of these include
mental health issues caused by stress during the flooding, injuries while attempting to escape
from the water or from falling debris, respiratory illness due to damp environments that can lead
to mold damage, and coming into contact with contaminated flood water.
There are three levels of coastal flooding:
Minor: Low likelihood of property damage and not directly life-threatening
Moderate: Elevated likelihood of property damage and possibly life-threatening
Major: Significant likelihood of property damage and seriously life-threatening
RIVER FLOODING
A river flood occurs when water rises over the top of riverbanks. Any size of river and stream
has the potential to flood, with rivers having increased potential to flood once every two years.
Typically, river flooding is caused by extreme rainfall from tropical storm systems, long-lasting
thunderstorms, combined rainfall and snowmelt, and ice jams. It’s these pulses of melting snow
or rain that cause water to rise above the riverbanks and in turn flood surrounding areas.
Though river floods can usually be predicted ahead of time, the potential for unexpected major
property damage is great if a dam or dike breaks. However, most of the causes of river floods
often stem from storms that allow for enough warning for those in surrounding areas to
evacuate safely.
FLASH FLOODING
Flash flooding begins within 6 hours of the start of heavy rainfall, and is often caused by severe
thunderstorms, hurricanes, tropical storms or other weather patterns. Flash floods can also be
the result of a dam or levee breaking or a mudslide.
Several factors contribute to the severity of a flash flood, including:
Intensity of the rainfallLocation of the rainfallLandscapeSoil type and condition
Urban areas are more prone to flash floods than suburban or rural areas, and the damage is
likely to be greater with less soil to soak up the water. However, the lack of soil is not the only
reason for this increased risk of flash floods. Areas that have soil but haven’t seen rain in some
time are in similar danger since the water is unable to be absorbed by the soil fast enough,
leading to water quickly running off to lower areas.
The greatest danger with flash flooding is that it can occur quickly and leave little time to
prepare. Those who are in areas that are seeing heavy rainfall are urged to be aware of the
difference between flood watches and warnings to know if an evacuation is needed in their
area. Areas near floodplains and areas with blocked drainage are especially hazardous.
Flash floods can be powerful enough to move boulders, pull out trees, destroy bridges, and
trigger mudslides. Most flood-related deaths are the result of flash foods. They can also lead to
significant structural damage to homes, including foundation damage, damages to appliances,
as well as long-term harm as a result of mold damage.
GROUNDWATER FLOODING
Groundwater floods are usually the result of inundated drainage systems by significant rain that
cause water to overflow into streets and nearby properties. They are equally likely to occur in
urban and rural areas. Fortunately, groundwater flooding happens gradually, when the water
level is shallow and homeowners have time to remove their possessions.
However, this groundwater flooding can be troublesome because it may persist for weeks or
months until the soil can absorb the standing water. As a result, they can lead to significant
danger to homes, with increased likelihood of structural damage to properties and more risk to
long-term risks such as mold.
SEWAGE FLOODING
Sewage flooding is caused when unexpected heavy rainfall overwhelms sewage systems or
treatment plants, causing them to break down and release untreated sewage into water bodies.
Sewage floods are certainly the most unpleasant, with sewage leaking through pipes or drains
or comes up through toilets, sinks, or showers.
These floods are the most hazardous because the water is contaminated with harmful bacteria
and chemicals that can cause infections, diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and other diseases. Fast
response and a thorough and detailed clean-up by experts familiar with sewage cleanup
services are key in these situations
Drought
How Does Drought Affect Our Lives?
When we have a drought, it can affect our communities and our environment in many different
ways. Everything in the environment is connected, just like everything in our communities is
connected. Each different way that drought affects us is what we call an impact of drought.
Drought affects our lives in many different ways because water is such an important part of so
many of our activities. We need water to live, and animals and plants do too. We need water to
grow the food we eat. We also use water for many different things in our lives, like washing
dishes, cooking, bathing, and swimming or river rafting. Water is also used to help make the
electricity we use to run the lights in our houses and the video games you may like to play.
When we don’t have enough water for these activities because of a drought, many people and
many different things will be affected in many different ways.
Drought Dominoes?
We often talk about drought's impacts as either “direct” or “indirect.” What does that mean?
Well, to find out, let's think about dominoes. If you set up a long line of dominoes on the floor
and knock the first domino in the line over, it will cause the second domino in the line to fall and
hit the third, which will fall and hit the fourth, and so on.
If those dominoes were drought impacts, the first domino you knock over might be farmers’ corn
crops dying. The second domino might be that the farmers would not have money to buy a new
tractor from the dealer in town. The dealer would then lose money, which would be the third
domino. If enough farmers lose their corn crops, the dealership might not be able to employ as
many people or may even have to close down—the fourth domino. The dealership closing
would cause many more impacts in the community.
The farmers’ crops dying would be the “direct” impact of drought. The dealer losing money and
all of the other impacts would be the “indirect” impacts of drought.
All of the impacts in the example above would be “negative” impacts. But the impacts of drought
aren’t always all negative. How can this be? Well, let's think about the example of the farmers
we talked about earlier. The farmers who have lost their corn crops might use the money they
didn’t spend to buy a new tractor to hire a person to drill irrigation wells. The well-drilling
business would make more money, so for them the drought might actually have a “positive” or
good impact. However, the overall impact of drought in an area is almost always negative.
TYPES OF DROUGHT IMPACTS
Drought affects all parts of our environment and our communities. The many different drought
impacts are often grouped as “economic,” “environmental,” and “social” impacts. All of these
impacts must be considered in planning for and responding to drought conditions.
Let's take a closer look at all kinds of drought impacts.
Economic Impacts
Economic impacts are those impacts of drought that cost people (or businesses) money. Here
are just a few different examples of economic impacts:
Farmers may lose money if a drought destroys their crops.If a farmer's water supply is too low,
the farmer may have to spend more money on irrigation or to drill new wells.
Ranchers may have to spend more money on feed and water for their animals.
Businesses that depend on farming, like companies that make tractors and food, may lose
business when drought damages crops or livestock.
People who work in the timber industry may be affected when wildfires destroy stands of timber.
Businesses that sell boats and fishing equipment may not be able to sell some of their goods
because drought has dried up lakes and other water sources.
Power companies that normally rely on hydroelectric power (electricity that's created from the
energy of running water) may have to spend more money on other fuel sources if drought dries
up too much of the water supply.
The power companies' customers would also have to pay more.Water companies may have to
spend money on new or additional water supplies.
Barges and ships may have difficulty navigating streams, rivers, and canals because of low
water levels, which would also affect businesses that depend on water transportation for
receiving or sending goods and materials.
People might have to pay more for food.
Environmental Impacts
Drought also affects the environment in many different ways. Plants and animals depend on
water, just like people. When a drought occurs, their food supply can shrink and their habitat can
be damaged. Sometimes the damage is only temporary and their habitat and food supply return
to normal when the drought is over. But sometimes drought's impact on the environment can
last a long time, maybe forever. Examples of environmental impacts include:
Losses or destruction of fish and wildlife habitat
Lack of food and drinking water for wild animals
Increase in disease in wild animals, because of reduced food and water supplies
Migration of wildlife
Increased stress on endangered species or even extinction
Lower water levels in reservoirs, lakes, and pondsLoss of wetlands
More wildfires
Wind and water erosion of soilsPoor soil quality
Social Impacts
Social impacts of drought are ways that drought affects people’s health and safety. Social
impacts include public safety, health, conflicts between people when there isn't enough water to
go around, and changes in lifestyle. Examples of social impacts include:
Anxiety or depression about economic losses caused by drought
Health problems related to low water flows and poor water quality
Health problems related to dust
Loss of human life
Threat to public safety from an increased number of forest and range fires
Reduced incomes
People may have to move from farms into cities, or from one city to another.
As a result, the climatological community has defined four types of drought: 1) meteorological
drought, 2) hydrological drought, 3) agricultural drought, and 4) socioeconomic drought.
Meteorological drought happens when dry weather patterns dominate an area. Hydrological
drought occurs when low water supply becomes evident, especially in streams, reservoirs, and
groundwater levels, usually after many months of meteorological drought. Agricultural drought
happens when crops become affected. And socioeconomic drought relates the supply and
demand of various commodities to drought. Meteorological drought can begin and end rapidly,
while hydrological drought takes much longer to develop and then recover.
What are drought triggers?
A drought trigger is the specific value of a drought indicator that activates a management
response. For example, a drought trigger could be a reservoir decreasing below 50% of its
storage capacity. In a drought contingency plan, trigger levels can be varied to alter the
sensitivity of the response and the effectiveness of the plan. Defining drought triggers can be
difficult. Trigger levels change over time, that is, an appropriate trigger level for a particular
system may change dramatically if that system has an increase in available infrastructure or if
water demands change dramatically. Urban water triggers are often quite different from
agriculture drought triggers, as the urban infrastructure can often mitigate the impacts of
short-term droughts