Flood Basics
What is a flood?
When water overflows onto land that is normally dry.
What causes a pluvial flood?
Intense rainfall that can't be absorbed by the ground or drains.
What is a fluvial flood?
A flood caused when a river overflows its banks.
What causes a coastal flood?
Ocean water moving inland from storms or high tides.
True or False: Floods only happen near oceans.
False
Should you try to travel on flooded roads?
False
Where do pluvial floods usually happen?
In cities and towns where there is poor drainage.
What causes a river to overflow?
Heavy rainfall or snowmelt upstream.
What natural event can make coastal floods worse?
Storm surge from hurricanes or cyclones
What are the three different kinds of floods
Fluvial, Pluvial, Coastal
If you are in your home, where should you go during a flood?
Move to the highest floor
Define a pluvial flood?
A flood caused by heavy rainfall that doesn’t drain away properly.
Define a fluvial flood.
Fluvial flooding is when the water level in a river or lake rises and overflows onto the neighbouring land due to snowfall or rain.
What is a coastal flood?
A flood caused by seawater pushing onto land, often from storms or high tides.
What is a flash flood and why can it be dangerous?
A flash flood is a sudden, fast flood usually caused by heavy rain; it can be very dangerous because it gives little time to react.
How often should you update your emergency kit?
You should update your Emergency Kit twice a year.
How can green spaces help prevent pluvial floods?
It can absorb rainwater and reduce runoff.
How do levees (a wall) help protect against fluvial floods?
They block water from spilling over the riverbanks.
How does climate change affect coastal flooding?
Rising sea levels increase flood risks.
How does the water cycle contribute to flooding?
The water cycle moves water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation; too much rainfall can cause flooding.
What should you pack to prepare for a flood?
Pack a radio, medications, water, and non-perishable food, flashlights and batteries, and a First Aid Kit.
What is an example of pluvial flooding from our lesson?
The 2012 Beijing flash floods
What is an example of fluvial flooding from our lesson?
1938 Yellow river flood in China
What is an example of coastal flooding from our lesson?
Hurricane Katrina