Climate change
It is widely assumed that climate change is a factor in increasing floods and natural disasters, and climate scientists do not dispute that. But it is difficult to attribute climate change directly to floods because there are so many other factors that affect the weather, including latitude, circulation of the ocean, and sunlight. Ultimately, if humans continue to contribute to climate change, we will have no choice but to face the consequences. Nonetheless, these recent events are a stark warning to all nations to start taking climate action now.
Heavy rains
Residents of Lismore, one of the worst-hit areas of New South Wales, were told to evacuate by Tuesday. Sandbags were provided by emergency services and residents fled their homes armed with them. Hundreds of houses and farms were destroyed in the region last month. The Department of Defence said 3,300 military personnel would remain in flood-prone areas. The floods caused extensive damage to homes and farms, and caused over 200 deaths.
Ocean waves
Scientists have recently revealed that ocean waves are becoming much higher than they have been for centuries. This new finding has led scientists to reevaluate the 100-year event, and raises concerns over structural damage and coastal erosion. Researchers believe that the highest waves can now reach 46 feet high, compared to 33 feet in 1996. In fact, the waves have gotten significantly higher in summer as well. Researchers use sophisticated techniques to account for the non-stationarity of the wave height record.
Snow melt
Although snowmelt flooding can be extremely damaging, you can take preventative measures to limit the damage. For example, you can install a sump pump to catch water that may flow back into your basement. Additionally, an expert can check your home’s foundation and fill any cracks to minimize damage. A third way to avoid flooding is to build up ice dams on the roof. Ice dams force melting snow to move into your attic and ceiling.
Overflow of water from water bodies
A flood is a natural occurrence that occurs when large amounts of water overwhelm an area. It can occur due to a wide variety of factors, including excessive rainfall, overflow of a water body, or extreme tidal conditions. There are also some situations in which the water from a storm can cause flooding, but there are several factors that can cause a flood in a specific area.
Standing water after a flood
Standing water after a flood can pose numerous risks for occupants of the property. It can cause serious health issues by breeding bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella. This water can also contain sewage water and can be a perfect breeding ground for these pathogens. After a flood, the first thing to do is to remove the standing water as quickly as possible to prevent structural damage and contamination of the water.
Damage caused by flooding
Flooding can have many different consequences, both immediate and long-term. Indirect losses occur when water affects networks and social activities. Physical impacts include property damage and loss of life, while indirect losses are caused by the disruption of these activities. Flooding causes both immediate and long-term consequences, and mitigation efforts must include both of these. In the case of homes, flooding mitigation begins with long-term planning and guidelines in place to reduce the risk of future flooding. Homeowners and businesses can also make their homes more flood-proof with flood control areas.