Floods begin with extremely heavy rainfall. Flash flooding can occur anywhere, whether in highway underpasses or city streets. The effect of flash flooding can be horrendous in terms of cleanup. Here in this article, we will guide you through what a flash flood is, the causes, effects, and prevention of flash floods.
What is Flash Flooding?
Rapid flooding of low-lying areas such as rivers and lakes is called flash flooding. It is caused by severe thunderstorms, tropical storms or hurricanes, or volcano eruptions in glacial mountains.
Also Read : Major Difference Between Flood Damage & Water Damage Explained
What Causes Flash Flood?
There are two types of flash floods; natural and anthropogenic. The cause of flash floods are described below:
1. Cloudbursts
When for a short period, a huge amount of rain is suddenly dumped on a specific area during a thunderstorm, it is called Cloudbursts. It brings massive rain down to the ground, which causes flash floods.
2. Blocked or improper drainage system
If the drainage system is not efficient enough to take huge amounts of water or is blocked and raining heavily, there is a high chance of flash flooding.
3. Overflow from rivers due to heavy rainfall
Excessive rains over a longer span can cause streams and rivers to swell and overflow, the main and most common reason behind flash floods.
4. Volcanic detonation causes glaciers to melt.
Volcanic eruption on glacial mountains melts the glacier’s ice, which causes a flash flood.
5. Trapped thunderstorms
Slow-moving thunderstorms dump a large amount of rain over a specific area, causing flash flooding.
Also Read : Safety Tips for Flood Damage in Dallas
Anthropogenic Cause
1. Climate change
It might sound like a natural cause, but the main reason behind climate change and erratic weather patterns is human activities. It causes events like a hurricane, flash floods, etc.
2. Dam failures and breaks
Dam failures and breaks are one of the most common human-induced causes of flash flooding, which can turn valleys into lakes.
3. Deforestation
Forests help reduce the speed and amount of water in floods. Deforestation means it allows the flood water to reach full force, which causes flash floods in the area.
4. Destruction of Mangroves and Wetlands
Wetlands and mangroves work as a buffer zone to prevent and control floods. Destroying these treasures can cause flash floods.
What are the Two Types of Flood?
There are two types of floods; flash floods and widespread river floods. Flash floods generally cause massive loss of life, whereas river floods cause greater loss of your immovable properties.
River floods are very common in those areas where you can find large rivers with a wetter climate. Long-lasting rainstorms and ice jams on a river or high tides can be one reason behind river floods. However, most floods can be linked to storms or sudden climate change.
Flash flooding occurs because of extreme rainfall, which causes quick rise in the water height of a normally dry channel or a stream.
Effects and solution of flash flood
Commonly observed effects of flash floods are as follows;
- City dwelling animals, pets, and wildlife all drown and die
- Plants in the area are completely uprooted and damaged
- Destruction of buildings, roads, bridges, and communication services.
- Soil erosion in huge amounts from cities and agricultural land.
- Farms are destroyed, and livestock is killed.
- Commercial and residential areas are flooded, damaging valuables.
- The devastation of roads, buildings, bridges, and communication services.
- Flash floods can cause loss of property and precious lives as well.
Solution and management
- First, the flood warning and disaster management tools must be improved.
- Conduct public awareness campaigns on how to handle such situations.
- Adopt suitable rainwater management practices.
- Plan and construct barriers to divert water into the open land area.
- Clean, unblock drains and develop a proper urban drainage system.
How to Do Flood Damage Cleanup
When you start cleaning up after flood damage, your priority should be to disinfect household items and clean them properly.
- Clean the carpet, furniture, textiles, and hard surfaces such as woodwork, walls, linoleum floors, and tiles.
- First, clean up, remove standing water, all soaked and contaminated materials, and shovel out mud, dirt particles, and silt before it dries. Clean and dry the walls, scrub woodwork and floors and then do not forget to dry the surface.
- Construction of overflow areas and flood plains along streams and rivers to help them overflow without causing any damage.
Also Read : 7 Effective Ways To Clean Up Your Home After A Flood
Call Kings Restoration for Flash Flood Cleanup!
Flash floods have become a common occurrence in every part of the world. The main reason behind this is extreme weather events, natural disasters, and climate change. It can have a massive negative impact on buildings and the environment. Preventive measures against flash floods and flood damage restoration are much required. You may find flood damage restoration in Dallas with the experts at Kings Restoration. You can directly call us or visit our website to set an appointment with our expert.
