Floods

Heavy Rainfall: Intense or prolonged rain can lead to rivers and lakes overflowing their banks.

Storm Surges: Tropical storms and hurricanes can drive a surge of ocean water onto land, causing coastal flooding.

Melting Snow and Ice: Rapid snowmelt can overwhelm rivers and lead to flooding, especially if the ground is still frozen or already saturated with water.

Dam and Levee Failures: Breaches or failures in dams and levees can release large quantities of water, leading to catastrophic flooding downstream.

Urban Drainage Basins: Concrete and asphalt surfaces do not absorb water, which can lead to flash flooding in cities during heavy rain events.

River Floods: Occur when rivers overflow their banks due to excessive rain or snowmelt.

Coastal Floods: Caused by storm surges associated with tropical cyclones and tsunamis.

Flash Floods: Rapid floods, often caused by heavy rain, that can occur with little to no warning.

Urban Floods: Caused by rainfall overwhelming the drainage capacity of urban areas.

Pluvial Floods: Caused by rainfall creating a flood independent of an overflowing water body.

Human Health and Safety: Floods can lead to loss of life, injuries, and the spread of waterborne diseases.

Infrastructure Damage: They can cause significant damage to homes, businesses, infrastructure, and agriculture, leading to high economic costs.

Displacement: Flooding often forces people to leave their homes, sometimes resulting in long-term displacement and the need for temporary shelters.

Environmental Damage: Floods can lead to the displacement of wildlife, soil erosion, and the pollution of water bodies with chemicals and waste from submerged areas.

Economic Impact: The cost of flooding can be substantial, including emergency response, recovery and rebuilding efforts, and lost productivity.

Floodplain Management: Restricting development in flood-prone areas to reduce damage and preserve the natural flow of water.

Infrastructure Improvements: Building flood defenses such as levees, floodwalls, and dams, and improving drainage systems.

Restoration of Wetlands: Wetlands can act as natural sponges, absorbing excess floodwater and reducing the speed at which runoff enters rivers.

Flood Forecasting and Warning Systems: Providing advance notice of potential flooding can save lives and reduce property damage.

Community Preparedness: Developing emergency plans, educating the public about flood risks, and encouraging the purchase of flood insurance.

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of some types of extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall, which can lead to more frequent and severe flooding.

Rising sea levels can increase the risk of coastal flooding, particularly during high tides and storm surges.