We want to help you understand:
What is a floodplain and what happens during a flood?
Where does it happen?
What can kids do to help out when a flood comes or before it comes?"

Questions you might ask:
 What is a flood and where does it happen?
    A flood occurs when water pours over dry land.
    Floods can cause massive damage when they happen
    unexpectedly.

    Heavy rain can cause floods. If a lot of rain
    falls quickly, the earth is unable to soak it up,
    and the water builds up on the ground. When it runs
    off into the rivers, the rivers overflow their banks.

    The worst floods happen where the land is flat and
    low-lying. These areas are known as floodplains. Mud,
    earth, and large objects, like cars, can be carried
    long distances by flood waters. They rip up anything
    not firmly anchored to the ground. Then, disease spreads
    quickly because the flood water is polluted and
    there is no fresh drinking water.
Do I live in an area that might flood?
    Any area can flood, but flooding is much more common where
    rivers or lakes are surrounded by really flat areas.
What areas are in current danger from floods?
    Areas in Danger
What should I know if I live on a flood plain?
    Things to Know
    Warnings Given and What They Mean
What dangers does a flood lead to?
    Floods can lead to electricution from down power lines,
    Angry dangerous animals coming out,
    Drowning from high water levels or flash floods,
    as well as many other things.
    To see how this happens try to make it safely through the maze.
Can I do something before the flood comes to keep me and my family safe?

YES YOU CAN!

    BE PREPARED!
    Have a disaster plan!

    Know how to protect your home!


    Prepare a disaster supply kit!

What should I do if a flood happens?
    1. Get the flood pack.
    2. Get to the meeting spot with your family.
    3. Try to get to higher ground
    4. If you can not leave got to a higher area in your home.
    5. Listen to your family and follow all instructions carefully.
What happens after the flood is over?
    Many kids your age have suffered through disasters such as floods.
    To hear what they have to say about their experience,
    Click Here
Should people live on the floodplain?
    Living on a floodplain is a very risky decision.
    A flood could happen at anytime and cause the loss
    of everything. In a matter of seconds, you could
    have your entire life washed away in a roaring wall
    of water.

    The decision to live on a floodplain is not a simple
    one. Many things need to be taken into consideration.
    One of the biggest things to consider is the manner in
    which living on a floodplain is toying with the almighty
    destroyer, Mother Nature!




More Flood Pictures -- all of the actual flood pictures from the flood of the Red River in Grand Forks North Dakota. These photographs appeared in the

Grand Forks Herald











More cool links for kids

For more technical views of other natural events see More Natural Hazards

Acknowledgments
The FEMA for kids web page was very helpful in the construction of
this page and therefore, it had been used very frequently. A special
thank you should be extended to the creators of that page.

Please feel free to email me with questions or comments. Just click
on Tigger and let me know what you think.