Flooding Effects

1. Loss Of Lives
The gravest effect of flooding is death. In fact, flooding is the
number one severe weather killer. Floods have claimed thousands
of lives throughout history. But how does flooding kill?
Floods kill by carrying people away in fast-moving water or
drowning them. It only takes six inches of water to wash a person
away. Floods can also kill people by destroying buildings and
creating unsafe environments. One often-overlooked deadly effect
of flooding comes from waterborne illnesses.

2. Property Damage
Since it only takes two feet of flood water to wash a car away,
flooding can also cause great loss of property. Surely you’ve seen
images of cars floating away in flood waters. This is why it is so
important to avoid flooded areas when driving. You don’t want to be
in your car when it gets washed away in the flood!
Flooding also causes property damage to buildings by blowing out
windows, sweeping away doors, corroding walls and foundations,
and sending debris into infrastructure at a fast pace. Not to mention
the furniture and items inside a home or business that are damaged
when flood waters make it inside. 

3. Economic Impacts
The economic impact of flooding can be devastating to a
community. This comes from damage and disruption to things like
communication towers, power plants, roads, and bridges. This
brings business activities in an area to a standstill. Oftentimes,
major flooding results in dislocation and dysfunction of normal life
long after flood waters recede.
Flooding hinders economic growth and development
because of the high cost of relief and
recovery associated with floods.
In frequently flooded areas, there is less likely to be any investment
in infrastructure and other developed activities.

4. Psychosocial Flooding Effects

Flooding can also create lasting trauma for victims. The loss of
loved ones or homes can take a steep emotional toll, especially on
children. Displacement from one’s home and loss of livelihood can
cause continuing stress and produce lasting psychological impacts.