Washed Away by Floods

Washed Away by Floods — page 1 — FLOOD ALERT Floods have been a problem for humankind since the first civilizations were built thousands of years ago From long ago to today raging floodwaters have destroyed cities spread disease and taken lives Even with our current technologies we aren’t safe from the dangers of floods DISASTER ALERT The National Weather Service NWS issues alerts when severe weather is possible NWS warnings are broadcast on television and radio stations to let people know about possible dangers from extreme weather events such as floods 4

Washed Away by Floods — page 2 — Floods can strike nearly any part of the world from mountain regions and coastlines to the Great Plains No place is completely safe from flooding Floods are a type of natural disaster or a sudden natural event that may cause great damage and many deaths Sometimes a flood will grow slowly over several days Other times a flood will appear in a matter of seconds offering no warning before releasing its destructive powers on the land Earth will always have floods However advances in science and technology are making it easier to predict floods and protect ourselves from these dangerous natural disasters 5

Washed Away by Floods — page 3 — WHAT IS A FLOOD A flood occurs when a large amount of water overflows the area where it’s normally contained Floods often occur during or following heavy rainstorms These storms may introduce too much water to a natural system that stores or transports water such as a river or lake A flood begins when this excess water moves over the banks and spills onto the nearby land which is called the floodplain Excess water may continue to build up and turn into a natural disaster that causes many problems Towns and cities built near floodplains may easily be flooded This flooding can cause major damage to buildings and roads Sometimes people die in floods Floods can also spread disease pollute water supplies and lead to food shortages and power outages DISASTER ALERT 6 The first stage of the NWS alert system for floods is an advisory This tells people to be aware of possible flooding in their area

Washed Away by Floods — page 4 — Regular flooding created fertile floodplains along the Nile River The crops rasied on these floodplains fed the people of Egypt for centuries Egyptians and the Nile Floods can be destructive but they can also be beneficial Regular flooding helped ancient Egyptian society flourish for many years The Nile River the longest river in the world ran through the heart of this ancient empire Each year the banks of the Nile overflowed These floodwaters left behind layers of new soil on the Nile’s vast floodplain This rich soil was perfect for growing crops 7

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