Floods - Ready.gov was created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to help individuals, families, and businesses prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters.
Flooding - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): flooding page provides information on the environmental impact of flooding, as well as tips for staying safe and protecting your health during and after a flood.
Experimental: Flood Hazard Outlook - National Weather Service (NWS) is a United States federal agency responsible for providing weather forecasts, warnings, and other weather-related information to the public. It is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
FloodSmart - The National Flood Insurance Program provides information on flood insurance, including how to purchase flood insurance and what to do if you experience flood damage.
What Causes Flooding?
Flooding is a natural disaster that occurs when water overflows or covers land that is typically dry. Floods can be caused by a variety of factors, including heavy rainfall, snowmelt, and the overflow of rivers, lakes, or oceans. They can also be caused by human activities, such as the construction of dams or levees or the urbanization of natural areas.
Floods can be extremely destructive and can cause significant damage to buildings, roads, and other infrastructure. They can also cause loss of life and displacement of people from their homes. In addition to the immediate damage caused by flooding, it can also lead to long-term economic and environmental impacts, such as crop damage, soil erosion, and increased risk of disease.
There are several types of floods, including flash floods, river floods, coastal floods, and urban floods. Flash floods are particularly dangerous as they can occur with little warning and can be very fast-moving. River floods occur when rivers overflow their banks and can affect large areas. Coastal floods are caused by storm surges and can cause significant damage to coastal communities. Urban floods occur when heavy rainfall overwhelms the drainage systems in urban areas.
To reduce the risk of flooding, measures such as building flood protection infrastructure, managing land use, and improving warning systems can be implemented. In addition, individuals can take steps such as keeping emergency supplies and having an evacuation plan in case of a flood.
