FLOODS

Types of Floods

Riverine flood
Lakeshore flood
Coastal flood
Urban flood
Flash flood
Cloud burst
Dam failure

Causes of Floods
Human Intervention

Change in land use

Construction of barriers in natural stream flow
Occupancy of flood plains
In-stream sand mining

Channel Modifications
Subsidence
Storm Sewers
Reduction of infiltration

In-stream Sand Mining

the undercutting and
collapse of river banks
the loss of adjacent land
and/or structures
upstream erosion as a result
of an increase in channel
slope and changes in flow
velocity
downstream erosion due to
increased carrying capacity of
the stream

Primary Effects
With higher velocities, streams are able to transport larger particles as
suspended load. Such large particles include not only rocks and sediment,
but, during a flood, could include such large objects as automobiles,
houses and bridges.
Massive amounts of erosion can be accomplished by flood waters. Such
erosion can undermine bridge structures, levees, and buildings causing
their collapse.
Water entering human built structures cause water damage. Even with
minor flooding of homes, furniture is ruined, floors and walls are
damaged, and anything that comes in contact with the water is likely to be
damaged or lost.
Flooding of automobiles usually results in damage that cannot easily be
repaired.

Primary Effects Contd...

When the flood waters retreat, velocity is generally much lower and
sediment is deposited. After retreat of the floodwaters everything
is usually covered with a thick layer of stream deposited mud,
including the interior of buildings.
Flooding of farmland usually results in crop loss. Livestock, pets,
and other animals are often carried away and drown.
Humans that get caught in the high velocity flood waters are often
drowned by the water.
Floodwaters can concentrate garbage, debris, and toxic pollutants
that can cause the secondary effects of health hazards.

Secondary and Tertiary Effects

Disruption of services:
Drinking water supplies may become polluted,
especially if sewerage treatment plants are flooded.
This may result in disease and other health effects,
especially in under developed countries.
Gas and electrical service may be disrupted.
Transportation systems may be disrupted, resulting in
shortages of food and clean-up supplies. In under
developed countries food shortages often lead to
starvation.

Secondary and Tertiary Effects Contd...

Long-term effects (tertiary effects):
Location of river channels may change as the result of flooding,
new channels develop, leaving the old channels dry.
Sediment deposited by flooding may destroy farm land
(although silt deposited by floodwaters could also help to
increase agricultural productivity).
Jobs may be lost due to the disruption of services, destruction
of business, etc. (although jobs may be gained in the
construction industry to help rebuild or repair flood damage).
Insurance rates may increase.
Corruption may result from misuse of relief funds.
Destruction of wildlife habitat.

Predicting River Flooding

Three main approaches are taken to flood
prediction:
Statistical studies can be undertaken to attempt to
determine the probability and frequency of high
discharges of streams that cause flooding.
Floods can be modelled and maps can be made to
determine the extent of possible flooding when it occurs in
the future.
Short term predictions by monitoring abnormal amounts
of rainfall, sudden thawing of snow or ice, degree of
vegetation, degree of permeable soil, amount of
vegetation.

Frequency and Probability of Flooding

Flood Hazard Mapping

Food hazard mapping is

used to determine the areas
susceptible to flooding when
discharge of a stream
exceeds the bank-full stage.

Using historical data on river

stages and discharge of
previous floods, along with
topographic data, maps can
be constructed to show
areas expected to be
covered with floodwaters for
various discharges or stages.

Flood Mitigation
Engineering Approaches:

Channel modifications
Construction of dams
Retention ponds
Construction of Levees, Dikes, and Floodwalls
Creating Flood-ways

Flood-ways are areas where no construction is allowed, and where the land
is used for agricultural or recreational purposes when there is no threat of
a flood, but which provide an outlet for flood waters during periods of high
discharge.

Flood Mitigation Contd

Regulatory Approaches:

Floodplain zoning
Floodplain codes
Floodplain buy-out programs
Mortgage limitations

Preventive Measures

Preventive Measures
At the community level:
Permanent monitoring of the risk of flooding
Setting up one or several information and flood warning centres
Issuing regulations banning building, residing in, and access to
identified risk zones
Implementing specific protective systems such as alarm signals.
Building and developing infrastructure that will prevent, avoid or
limit floods and protect the population.
Planning the evacuation of the population
Forming well trained and equipped management and rescue
teams

During a Flood Disaster

Keep calm, do not panic.
Warn neighbours and give priority to helping the handicapped,
children and the elderly.
Keep informed of the danger and how it may evolve, listen to
the radio but do not use the telephone without good reason.
Switch off electricity, gas and central heating.
If there is enough time move valuable or delicate objects and
pollutant products to the higher levels of the strongest parts of
the building.

During a Flood Disaster Contd

Implement the measures planned for the immediate protection of people
and the environment (if possible untie and set free animals from stables
and other such buildings).
If obliged to leave your house, lock it securely and make your way on foot to
the evacuation zone using the route indicated by the authorities.
Take with you only what is strictly necessary (emergency baggage, identity
and personal papers, medicines).
Do not cross flooded areas on foot or in a vehicle. If necessary secure
yourself by holding onto ropes or cables.
Collaborate with public safety bodies and the services helping the
homeless.

After the Flood

Keep calm, do not panic.
Check and see if there any injured people in the vicinity and, if
possible, help them.
Listen to the radio but do not use the telephone unnecessarily.
Collaborate with official rescue and assistance services helping
the victims.
Collaborate in the identification of bodies.
Make yourself available to help with rehabilitation work.