What is a flood?

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The sky turns gray and water starts to fall from the clouds. A rain storm begins! Water soaks into the ground and flows into rivers, lakes and oceans. After the storm, the sun dries the land and the earth is no longer soggy...

But what happens when water collects on the land because there’s too much of it for the ground and waterways to hold? A flood! Rain isn’t the only reason for flooding. Melting snow, broken river dams and drainage systems that become blocked are a few other causes of floods.  

Sometimes floods don’t give us much warning! A flash flood happens when water starts to  rise quickly—in less than six hours. Flash floods can be dangerous, especially since fast-moving water can do some pretty powerful things, like uproot trees! 

Luckily there are things we can do to help limit the damage caused by flooding. Weathermen can sometimes warn us when a flood is coming, making it possible to move to a safer place! There are also ways to protect the land from floods, such as by building levees and dams.

 

Not only do organizations like the American Red Cross give us important information about being prepared during a flood, they are there for people who need help after flooding damages their homes.  They organize volunteers and help get important supplies (like food, water and medicine) to families who need them! With their help, maybe one day you’ll have a chance to donate supplies to families in need after a flood.