Chapter 4- Flooding

Question 1

What is flooding?

Answer 1

A flood occurs when a river has too much water in its channel so it spills onto the surrounding land

Question 2

Causes of flooding (physical factors) ?

Answer 2

Dam failure
River overflow
Strong winds in coastal areas
Air pressure
Intense precipitation 
Ice or snow melts 
Levee breaking

Question 3

Causes of floods ( human )?

Answer 3

Urbanisation
De-forestation
Building in the drainage basin

Question 4

What are the effects of flooding?

Answer 4

Homes - furniture destroyed, costing money and insurance is expensive
Farm animals may drown
Crops are destroyed- this means people may starve
Sewage systems overflow- drinking water is contaminated
Travel and transport can be disrupted

Question 5

How are floods prevented?

Answer 5

Planting trees in the river basin- trees break rainfall and use up water
River channels are made larger by DREDGING- so they can hold more water
Walls called flood embankments are built to increase height 
Flood relief(by-pass) channels are built around towns.

Question 6

What is a flash flood?

Answer 6

A flash flood is a flood that happens suddenly with little warning.

Question 7

Why are flash floods dangerous?

Answer 7

They happen so quickly people can’t prepare

Question 8

What are the causes of flash floods?

Answer 8

Intense / heavy rainfall
Dam breaking/ failing
Snow/ice melting

Question 9

What are the Impacts of flash floods?

Answer 9

Animals drown 
Crops die
People are injured
Houses are damaged 
Death 
High repair cost 
No electricity