Subject:

English 7

Teacher:
Mireya Romero

Student:
Anny Ramírez

Matricula:
A00106979

Topic:
Floods

August 13, 2022

Santo Domingo, D.N.
 Floods
• Definition
Flooding is an overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods
can happen during heavy rains, when ocean waves come on shore, when
snow melts quickly, or when dams or levees break. Damaging flooding may
happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the
rooftop. Floods can occur within minutes or over a long period, and may
last days, weeks, or longer. Floods are the most common and widespread
of all weather-related natural disasters.

• Causes
Most flash flooding is caused by slow-moving thunderstorms,
thunderstorms repeatedly moving over the same area, or heavy rains from
hurricanes and tropical storms.
Occasionally, floating debris or ice can accumulate at a natural or man-
made obstruction and restrict the flow of water. Water held back by the ice
jam or debris dam can cause flooding upstream. Subsequent flash flooding
can occur downstream if the obstruction should suddenly release.
Extreme flood events often result from coincidence such as unusually
intense, warm rainfall melting heavy snowpack, producing channel
obstructions from floating ice, and releasing small impoundments like
beaver dams. Coincident events may cause extensive flooding to be more
frequent than anticipated from simplistic statistical prediction models
considering only precipitation runoff flowing within unobstructed drainage
channels.
Some researchers have mentioned the storage effect in urban areas with
transportation corridors created by cut and fill. Culverted fills may be
converted to impoundments if the culverts become blocked by debris, and
flow may be diverted along streets.

• Size
Rapidly rising water can reach heights of 30 feet or more.
• Facts
Flooding occurs in every U.S. state and territory, and is a threat experienced
anywhere in the world that receives rain. In the U.S. floods kill more people
each year than tornadoes, hurricanes or lightning.

• Preventive measures
Protecting your home
• Elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel if susceptible to
flooding
• Install check valves in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from
backing up into your home.
• Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid
seepage.
• Keep an adequate supply of food, candles and drinking water in case
you are trapped inside your home.
When a flood is imminent
• Listen to designated radio/TV emergency alert systems for
emergency instructions.
• Secure/bring in outdoor furniture or other items that might float
away and become a potential hazard.
• Move valuable items and papers/documents to upper floors.
During a flood
• Seek higher ground. Do not wait for instructions.
• Be aware of flash flood areas such as canals, streams, drainage
channels.
• Be ready to evacuate.
• If instructed, turn off utilities at main switches and unplug
appliances - do not touch electrical equipment if wet.
 • If you must leave your home, do not walk-through moving water. Six
inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. Use a stick to
test depth.
• Do not try to drive over a flooded road. If your car stalls, abandon it
immediately and seek an alternate route.
After a flood
• Stay away from flood water - do not attempt to swim, walk or drive
through the area
• Be aware of areas where water has receded. Roadways may have
weakened and could collapse.
• Avoid downed power lines and muddy waters where power lines may
have fallen.
• Do not drink tap water until advised by the Health Unit that the water
is safe to drink.
• Once flood waters have receded you must not live in your home until
the water supply has been declared safe for use, all flood-
contaminated rooms have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected,
adequate toilet facilities are available, all electrical appliances and
heating/cooling systems have been inspected, food, utensils and
dishes have been examined, cleaned or disposed of, and floor drains
and sumps have been cleaned and disinfected.

• Some examples where it occurred in different countries and the impact

it has in those countries.
In 2002, heavy rains in Texas caused a reservoir to overflow. The raging
water cleared everything in its path including trees, boulders ... a bridge! In
just three days, the floodwaters carved a 1.4 mile (2.2 kilometers) long,
nearly 20-foot-(6 meters)-deep canyon.