FLOODS

WHICH IS A
FLOOD?
Floods can be defined as the occupation by water of areas or areas that are dry under
normal conditions. They occur due to the effect of the temporary rise in the level of the
river, lake or other. To some extent, floods can be human-controllable events,
depending on the use of land near river channels.
Floods are mainly caused by the occurrence of prolonged intense rains, as happens
during tropical storms and hurricanes, combined with difficulties.
A flood is the occupation by water of areas that are usually free of it, due to the
overflowing of rivers, boulevards due to torrential rains, melting ice, due to rising tides
above the usual level, due to tidal waves, etc.
 CAUSES OF THE
FLOODS
In the Mediterranean area the cold drop phenomenon occurs.
In East Asia, the main cause of river flooding is torrential rains caused by the monsoon.
Hurricanes are a Caribbean version of typhoons, which temporarily devastate the Gulf
of Mexico region causing flooding from waves.
Tidal waves or tsunamis as a possible cause of a flood, since the underwater earthquake
causes a series of waves that translate into giant waves with a devastating effect on the
affected coasts.
FACTORS OF THE
FLOOD
EXCESS OF RAINFALL.- Rain storms are the main origin of floods. When the
land cannot absorb or store all the water that falls, it slides over the surface (runoff) and
raises the level of the rivers.
SNOW MELT - IN SPRING, THE SNOW ACCUMULATED IN WINTER IN HIGH MOUNTAIN
AREAS MELTS AND THIS IS WHEN THE RIVERS THAT FEED ON THESE WATERS ARE AT THEIR
HIGHEST. IF HEAVY RAIN OCCURS AT THAT TIME, WHICH IS NOT UNCOMMON, FLOODING
OCCURS.
BREAKING OF DAMS - WHEN A DAM BREAKS, ALL THE WATER STORED IN THE
RESERVOIR IS SUDDENLY RELEASED AND LARGE, VERY DANGEROUS FLOODS ARE
FORMED. CASES LIKE THE TOUS DAM THAT BROKE IN SPAIN HAVE HAPPENED IN MANY
COUNTRIES.
HUMAN ACTIVITIES - BY PAVING LARGER AND LARGER SURFACES, THE SOIL IS
WATERPROOFED, WHICH PREVENTS WATER FROM BEING ABSORBED BY THE EARTH AND
MAKES IT EASIER FOR WATER TO REACH THE RIVERBEDS VERY QUICKLY THROUGH
DRAINS AND DITCHES.
The clearing of forests and crops that strip the soil of its vegetation cover facilitate
erosion, resulting in large quantities of suspended materials reaching rivers that
aggravate the effects of flooding.
 DEFENSES,
PLANNING, AND
MANAGEMENT OF
THE
FLOOD
RIVER DEFENSES.-
Since the beginning of the Neolithic,
when sedentarization and, therefore,
occupation of flat coastal areas or river
valleys began, man has faced the
challenge of dealing with floods. In Egypt
and Mesopotamia, important river
defenses have already been built, such as
dams, canals to divert water, and
improvements to channels in urban
environments.
Hydraulic Works.- Hydraulic works were also developed in Greece and Rome, both to
obtain water for consumption and to avoid the risks entailed by settlements in vulnerable
environments.

Canalization in Ancient Corinth,

Peloponnese, Greece, 1st century
AD (location and link to Google
Maps: 35°54′19″N 22°52′49″E).
After the destruction of the Greek
city at Roman hands in 146 BC,
Julius Caesar refounded the city in
44 BC
Flood defenses are currently very advanced in developed countries. Prevention systems are based on
dams, mounds, metal barriers, regulating reservoirs and improving the drainage capacity of river
channels. Alert systems for dangerous situations are also highly developed through weather
forecasting, observation of river gauges that determine a hydrological alert, and tsunami detection
systems.
Defense against marine flooding caused by tides is highly developed in the Netherlands where a
network of dikes regulates both internal and external waters. Venice and London also have similar
defenses. Regulating reservoirs are very numerous in regions with a Mediterranean climate such as
California and southern Europe and serve to store water in times of drought and contain river floods.
 SCOPE E
IMPORTANCE
RELATIVE OF THE
FLOODS
Like most natural hazards, flooding can lead to loss of life and damage to property, with
major impacts on public health that may take time to recover. From 1980 to 1985, there
were approximately 160 flood-related events worldwide, in which at least 120,000 people
were killed or injured and 20,000,000 lost their homes. In terms of physical losses, floods
are responsible for 40% of property damage caused by all natural disasters.
FACTORS THAT
CONTRIBUTE TO
SOLVE THE
 PROBLEM OF THE
FLOODS
FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO SOLVING THE
FLOOD PROBLEM

Adequate weather forecasts.

The appropriate flood warning systems.
Mitigating practices, such as management plans, have greatly helped prevention
occurring in affected communities.

TYPES OF FLOOD
According to their origin, floods are classified as: pluvial, fluvial and coastal.
 \V

A) RAIN AND RIVER FLOODS

• They occur as a consequence of the precipitation that occurs when the humidity contained in the
seas, oceans and other large bodies of water is transported to the land by the wind; As water
vapor rises and its temperature decreases, it occurs in any of the following forms: rain, snow
or hail. The process can originate due to the existence of: hurricanes, normal winds, polar
masses and convective processes.
B) COASTAL FLOODS
• In addition to pluvial (directly caused by rain) and fluvial (river overflow) flooding, coastal
areas can be affected by storm surges, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico, where rising mean
sea levels cause This penetrates inland, sometimes affecting very large areas.
• Added to this phenomenon is that of waves and, together, they cause very important damage,
such as the undermining of the foundations of coastal buildings, the sinking of boats, the
demolition and destruction of port facilities, the breakage of coastal defense works. and the
erosion of beaches and cliffs. The effect of water is not only destructive when advancing
inland, but also when retreating towards the sea.
 MECHANISMS
PRODUCERS OF
THE PRECIPITATION
 \■

Although precipitation-producing mechanisms are generally combined, it is useful to explain

their characteristics independently.

a) HURRICANES.- Hurricanes, by transporting large amounts of humidity and also occupying

enormous areas, cause long-lasting storms (on the order of several days). These phenomena
cause widespread flooding in the main basins.

b) NORMAL WINDS.- Mountainous, they rise and cause large concentrated precipitation on
the side from which the wind comes.

c) POLAR MASSES.- They consist of the movement of cold fronts from polar areas and cause
significant precipitation.

d) CONVECTION.- It is the mechanism of humidity rise due to the difference in air

temperature in the layers of the atmosphere. It causes high-intensity rainfall, although it is
short-lived and concentrated in small areas. Flooding of urban areas located on the high
plateau is associated with convective rains.
 WHAT EFFECTS DO FLOODS PRODUCE?
Drag of solids.
Extensive areas covered by water.
Intense erosion.
> Proliferation of microorganisms.
> Damaged homes.
> Interruption of communication routes.
>
Loss of lives.
Crop losses.
>
Sediment deposit.
>
>
>
>
 Communicable diseases.
ALSO, THE FLOODS LEAVE A SET
OF SIDE EFFECTS:
Food shortage.
Waste disposal problems (solid
e
and liquid). Contamination of
i
drinking water.
t
h
e
r
 PREVENTIONS
BEFORE THE EVENT
Heavy rains represent a natural warning of possible flooding.
Avoid building near rivers and streams.
Keep an emergency supply: drinking water and non-perishable food, a change of clothes and
shoes, a blanket, a first aid kit, portable radio, flashlight with batteries, matches, copies of
housing documents and personal identification.
Participate with your community in the preparation of a mitigation plan: This must include a
risk plan with evacuation routes, refuge sites, and an inventory of the neighborhood's human
and material resources.
Avoid deforestation and collaborate with the conservation of the environment in general.
Disclose these measures. Print them and post them in visible places in your community.

DURING THE EVENT

• Try to stay calm.
• If authorities recommend evacuation, vacate your home immediately.
• Carry your emergency supply and follow the instructions in the mitigation plan.
• Move to high ground.
• Avoid walking through a stream of water that is higher than your knees.
• Do not attempt to drive on a flooded road; instead, abandon the vehicle.
• Stay away from places where landslides may occur.
 AFTER THE EVENT
? Do not consume water if you are not sure it is safe to drink.
? Do not eat raw food or food that has been in contact with flood water.
? Do not touch or manipulate electrical installations.
? Inform the authorities about your situation and the status of basic services in your
community.
THE EXPOSED
COUNTRIES
TO FLOODS
(27.5%) (16.8%)

(16,9%) (16.9%)
LESS VULNERABLE
COUNTRIES
TO FLOODS
 THE FLOODS
LARGEST IN THE
HISTORY OF THE
HUMANITY
 It is remembered as the most destructive floods in the history of the United States, having
moved 65,000 cubic meters of water every second.
THE GREAT MISSISSIPPI RIVER FLOOD OF 1927.
During the summer of 1926, heavy rains were witnessed in the central part of the
Mississippi River, and by Christmas Day the water
level of the Cumberland River exceeded 17 meters, a
record that remains to this day.
The river exceeded its levels in 145 areas, flooding
more than 70,000 square kilometers at a depth of 10
meters, causing $400 million in damage and killing
246 people. And although it has not been one of the
deadly floods, the destruction still remains a record for
United States, which was not even broken by the
2010 floods in the same area.
Glaciers and volcanoes can cause
flooding, but there are none of those
THE OVERFLOW OF THE AMAZON
near the Amazon. The reason for this
flood was the floods of 1953 which
caused the flow of 370,000 cubic
meters of water per second.
To get an idea of the immensity of
the river, it can be said that it is
responsible for 20% of the planet's
freshwater discharge into the oceans,
so the destruction caused by its
overflow is enormous due to the
large amount of infrastructure. and
dams that are built around the river.
 But sometimes floods are caused by

THE ALASKA VOLCANIC FLOOD

other factors, for example, volcanoes.
This is the case of the Aniakchak flood,
which 10,000 years ago, was caused by
the eruption of a volcano that created a
crater known as caldera, which, over
decades, filled with water from
there
When the water reached the
are
limit, it eroded the caldera and
like
all the water flowed at the speed
rain.
of 1 million cubic meters of
water per second.
 In what is now known as the Altai Republic in

THE ALTAI FLOOD

Russia, at the end of the last ice age, events
similar to those in Missoula, described above,
occurred. The same principle of breaking ice
dams formed by glaciers was responsible for
this, estimating a water flow of 10 million cubic
meters per second.
These events usually take decades to complete,
from moving glaciers to blocking rivers, filling
a huge lake, and dam breaking. It is believed
that these events are both the result of the
climate change that was occurring, and it is also
believed that they helped slow down the
process, with much of the water distorting the
currents.
oceans, affecting weather patterns.
About 20,000 years ago, in what is
now known as Washington and
THE
Oregon, one of the DILUV
largest floods
known occurred. It is believed to have
been caused when a massive glacier
fell into the Clark Fork River,
blocking the flow of water and
creating a large glacial lake, called
Lake Missoula. But when this massive
ice dam finally failed, it flooded the
entire Willamette Valley, including
much of Oregon and Washington, at a
rate of 17 million cubic meters of
water per second. The enormous force
of the water destroyed everything
within c11 nAcN 17 anNIe in ece
+iemNN nA
\■
 CHILD PHENOMENON
The name "El Niño" is due to the association of this phenomenon with the so-called El Niño
current, an anomaly already known by the fishermen of the port of Paita, in northern Peru, who
observed that the waters increased in temperature during "the During the Christmas holidays and
the schools or schools of fish disappeared from the ocean surface, it was deduced that this
abnormality was due to a current of hot air coming from the Gulf of Guayaquil (Ecuador).
The first official records of the phenomenon were reported by the Peruvian captain Camilo
Carrillo in 1892, who noted the periodic existence of a warm marine current on the coasts of
Peru, with normally very cold waters. There are other interesting events related to the most
intense El Niño years. Between 1789 and 1793, the British historian Richard Grove reports that
several observers of the time reported serious droughts in Asia, Australia, Mexico and Southern
Africa, so it is suspected that this phenomenon could have caused the famine that preceded the
Revolution. French. Between 1791 and 1793 in Mexico the level of Lake Pátzcuaro dropped.
 “THE CHILD” PHENOMENON
Its formation and consequences
Last April, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that there is a high probability of the formation of this phenomenon in the middle of the year. Here we give
you 5 facts that will help you know what it is and how it could affect our country.
F-ntai $eml Nmona * M-etmetg- • HArotag 4 dal P- Kl NAMMII. Oncaniracia
Ifrri-Mif MiM Mimdakch= A Kih-El MrTuF Dz L-ni M-cal Fu-enTitN PhmD Dit ' GtHüh AltfCi Mi Eü-suml

WHAT IS
IT?
s abnormal heating @ WHAT CAUSES IT?
of the waters of the
IN THE PLANET
equatorial Pacific.
* Global warming and
WHY THAT sea temperature
NAME?
$e refers to the baby * Loss of species due to
Jesus, he was given by temperature change
Peruvian fishermen due to • Emergence of diseases such as
the warm current that cholera
appeared during the
clouds with
Christmas season. heavy rain
load IN MEXICO
■ Stronger rain and cold in winter
•HOW IS IT FORMED? and greater humidity
1) In the middle of the year the trade * Lack of rain in summer, more
winds from the Pacific Ocean change heat and droughts in the center
direction and blow from west to east. of the country.
Peru
warmwaters current
2) The warm waters off the coasts of * Fishing losses (due to the death
Australia and Indonesia move towards the of species)
Peruvian or Humboldt Current, which is
composed of cold water.

3) During December, both currents (warm

©WHEN DOES IT HAPPEN?
and cold) meet on the coasts of South
•It is irregular, it appears in
America and cause the evaporation of
periods ranging from ? to 7 years.
water that forms clouds with a heavy rain
•When it appears it lasts between
load.
8 and 12 months

NÜN*0-GMaMuf5MGMMI, M--Emr eA(umum and Rnk de Pmñü ÍW MACI M-ErdeM-d- Ambea ■' Arruman Habualmnea El Sakadam
 EFFECTS IN SOUTH AMERICA
The consequences of this climatic phenomenon lead random regions of South America to:
Alteration of the effects of the Humboldt current.
Fishing losses in certain species and increases in others. Intense cloud formation generated Very
humid periods.
Low atmospheric pressure.
Generation of huaicos (Fallslides).
Agricultural losses

\■

EFFECTS IN CENTRAL
AMERICA
One of the climatic events with the
greatest impact in Guatemala is the
El Niño phenomenon, with important implications for the climate, which has been reflected in
the variation in rainfall regimes. Under severe events, a significant decrease in accumulated
rainfall has been recorded at the beginning of the rainy season, with implications of lower
availability of water, fires, etc.
The phenomenon has been associated with a greater incidence of cold fronts, an increase in the
number of hurricanes in the Pacific while they decrease in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of
Mexico, as has been observed in recent years.
These atmospheric conditions cause significant flooding in river basins, mainly those
corresponding to the Pacific slope, which are aggravated by the high vulnerability of many
populated areas established in high-risk areas such as river banks and slopes prone to
landslides. Like many other countries, this climate impact will be a great catastrophe, difficult
to overcome

EFFECTS IN COSTA RICA

As in the rest of Central America, the El Niño phenomenon causes an unusual variation in
atmospheric conditions. It has been analyzed by the National Meteorological Institute of Costa
Rica that one of these variations is related to the number of hurricanes that form in the Atlantic
basin: When the El Niño phenomenon is very intense, the probability of hurricane formation in
the Caribbean Sea decreases. Therefore, there is a decrease in the amount of accumulated rain,
especially on the Pacific Slope.
The above translates into a series of effects on the country's economic activities, especially rice
cultivation and livestock activity in the Province of Guanacaste due to the prolonged droughts
that occur in these areas.
 EFFECTS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

In certain random (unknown) regions of Southeast Asia it causes: • Little rain.

• Ocean cooling.
• Low cloud formation.
• Very dry periods.
• High atmospheric pressure.
• Sea food shortage.
• Ruined crops.
• Scarcity of water in rivers .
Change of atmospheric circulation.
Change in ocean temperature.
Economic loss in primary activities. GLOBAL EFFECT
Home losses.
INFLUENCE IN ECUADOR, PERU, COLOMBIA AND
CHILE.

In 1997-98, the El Niño

phenomenon affected a
large part of Ecuador,
Peru, Colombia and
Chile, in the latter it was
reflected in the storms in
central Chile in 1997,
concentrating its effects
between November 1997
and April 1998. Average
monthly rainfall reached
701 mm in Tumbes,
623,202 mm in Chiclayo, far exceeding normal levels. But it may affect other countries.
The most affected departments in the country were Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, and
Ica.
The rivers that flow into the Pacific reached very important flows, some of which were:

V Tumbes River
V Piura River
V Ica River
• Rímac River

GLOBAL WARMING
During recent decades the number of El Niño events has increased, although a much longer
observation period is needed to detect robust changes. The question is, or was, whether this is a
random fluctuation, a normal case of variation for that phenomenon, or the result of global
climate changes as a result of global warming. In 2014, a robust increasing trend in extreme Los
Niño was reported in Nature.
Several studies of historical data suggest that the recent variation in El Niño is linked to global
warming, but there is no consensus on this aspect. For example, even after subtracting the
positive influence of decadal variation, shown to be possibly present in the ENSO trend, the
amplitude of ENSO variability in the observed data still increases, by as much as 60% over the
past 50 years.

CLIMATE WARS
According to the Earth Institute at Columbia University, the El Niño climate phenomenon would
be the cause of numerous conflicts that arose after World War II. According to researchers at the
Institute for the Earth, the harshest El Niño episodes would have preceded 30% of civil wars in a
hundred countries. The risk of conflict would double compared to La Niña periods. Globally, the
appearance of excessive temperatures and major droughts would be related to 21% of the 234
conflicts that the Earth Institute has analyzed from 1950 to 2004.
 ■11
FUTURE FLOODS
In recent months, Europe has suffered several floods. Problem: These exceptional floods could
become more frequent. A scientific study even estimates that it will almost double in the next 40
years across the Old Continent…
In June, central Europe was the scene of extreme flooding: mainly Germany, but also Austria,
Croatia, Hungary and the Czech Republic have had their rivers overflow after heavy rain for
several days. This winter, Brittany, central Italy and the United Kingdom. Fortunately exceptional
events... but it might have to become commonplace. This is at least the conclusion of a pioneering
study published in Nature Climate Change.
In general, this type of research concerns the probability of watershed overflows. The team led by
Brenden Jongman, an associate professor at the Free University of Amsterdam in the
Netherlands, focused mainly on the correlations between basins to determine whether the risk of
flooding is more or less high.
CONCLUSION:
Natural disasters have always existed and it is normal for them to occur, however, man,
without realizing it, has populated the most dangerous areas so, as the population continues
to increase, more and more people will be affected by these disasters. .

Natural disasters are very dangerous, and yet they have been getting worse over time as a
result of population growth, climate change, soil destruction, water pollution, etc. The great
disaster that may occur in the 21st century is being prepared by man who daily causes
pollution of the environment, which is something more serious than any earthquake or
volcanic eruption.
Natural disasters are capable of severely damaging the economy in a country, even in
developed countries.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
BEFORE THE EVENT
Prepare your home:
• Prepare to elevate any furniture, appliances, mattresses or clothing that may be
affected by water.
• Collect trash, debris, branches and leaves from your house and the street to prevent
drains and other water evacuation routes from your house from being clogged during
a storm, flood or heavy rain.
• If possible, seal possible leaks that you already know about with some waterproof
material.
• Make sure all members of your family know how to turn off water, electricity and
gas services.
IF THERE IS AN ALERT DECLARED:

• Stay informed of warning notices, forecasts or instructions disseminated by municipal or

provincial authorities through the media. Besides:
• Prepare a waterproof bag that contains essential items for the family (warm clothing, rain
boots, socks, a small portable radio, etc.) and have a first aid kit with essential medications
for family members.
• Have a supply of drinking water and non-perishable food. Store food in high places to
prevent water from reaching and ruining it.
• Avoid leaving children, elderly people or people with an illness or disability alone at home.
• Cut off water, electricity and gas services.
• Identify high places in your area, as well as temporary shelters and routes to reach them.
• You should try to stay away from rivers and waterways that you see are already overflowing
or are at risk of overflowing.
• Have telephone numbers for Firefighters, Civil Defense, Red Cross and Hospitals with you .
 \■

DURING THE EVENT

In closed places (home, work, other): evacuate the critical area and locate yourself in high areas
or the roof or upper floor of the home. If there is no possibility of accessing a higher V zone at
home, do not take the risk and evacuate to a temporary shelter.
To take care of your health on public roads: stay away from low areas or areas prone to
flooding and walk in high areas free of water. Otherwise, wait for the water level to go down
before moving. Under no circumstances should you attempt to cross a stream of water that
exceeds your knees on foot. It is important to prevent electrocutions, so stay away from power
lines, downed poles, or power lines.
For health care at school: in case of evaluation at school (or at work), do it in an orderly manner.
Always follow directives from those designated to coordinate emergency situations.
To be careful when driving: do not drive the car through a flooded area or try to remove it once
the water is already at a high level. If a power line falls on your car while you are driving, stay
inside the vehicle and continue driving away from the line. If the engine stalls, do not turn off
your car by turning the key on and off.
Alert others not to touch the vehicle and call your local power company and emergency services.
To care for the water: make the water drinkable by boiling it for three minutes or adding two
drops of bleach per liter of water and letting it sit for 30 minutes before using it.
AFTER THE EVENT
Care for returning home if you had to be evacuated: check if the house is fit to be inhabited
again. To prevent electrical accidents, try to return home in daylight to avoid using electric lights.
From the first entry into the home, it is advisable that the electricity and gas be disconnected to
avoid fire, electrocution or explosions. Also, make sure the premises, all electrical equipment and
appliances are completely dry before putting them into operation.
Home hygiene and disinfection: after flooding, make sure the rooms are dried and well
ventilated. Clean and disinfect walls, floors and other surfaces in the house such as countertops,
cupboards, refrigerator, children's toys, etc. with bleach. Use one cup of bleach (the size of a
coffee cup) per 10 liters of water (1 bucket).
• Spray upholstered furniture with some disinfectant and let it dry in the sun.
• Wash all clothing used during cleaning with hot water and detergent. These clothing should be
washed separately from uncontaminated clothing and lingerie. Wash clothing that has been in
contact with contaminated or flood water with hot water and detergent.
• After cleaning is complete, wash your hands with soap and safe water.
'1

WHAT TO DO WITH FOOD AND WATER:

If the water supply is affected by the effects of flooding, drink mineral water or water from a safe source. It
can also convert water that comes from other sources (well, network, etc.) into safe water.
• Place 2 drops of bleach per liter of water, and let it sit for 30 minutes before using it. You can also boil
it for 3 minutes and wait for it to cool before eating it.
• Reinforce basic hygiene habits. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water that has been
boiled, disinfected, or is known to be safe: before preparing food; After going to the bathroom; after
carrying out cleaning activities at home; after touching things in the house that have been hit by flood
water or sewage.
• Check all food left in your home and eliminate any whose packaging has been severely damaged by
water. Throw away groceries that have lost the cold chain due to power outages.
• It is important that you replace the baby's bottles and pacifiers. If you are breastfeeding your child,
continue doing so. Breast milk helps generate defenses in children. Wash new bottles with safe water.
• Also wash fruits and vegetables with safe water.
• To be able to reuse them, wash glasses, plates and other kitchen items with plenty of detergent and, if
possible, scrub everything with a brush to avoid residue. Throw away wooden and plastic utensils. To
disinfect metal pots and utensils, boil them for 10 minutes.