Floods Why Do They Happen? A Presentation created for elementary students, based on the Thames River Flood Events of February 2018 – with a focus on the community of Thamesville in Chatham-Kent.

In the Spring: Temperatures warm up. The snow and ice start to melt. Sometimes we get a lot of rain in a short time. Ice jams can happen if melting is too quick. All this blocks the river so it can’t empty into the lake. The river gets so full of water it overflows its banks. That’s when floods can happen.

Heavy Rain and/or Ice Jam Thames River

In Thamesville Extra rainwater and ice can fill Cornwall Creek. Cornwall Creek passes through a narrow spot under railway tracks. Only some of the extra water can go through quickly while the rest will fill up and overflow the riverbanks. It’s like if you pull the plug in your bathtub, some of the water drains out, but if you keep the tap turned on full blast a lot of water fills the tub and it will overflow.

Thamesville Flood

Thamesville Flood

In Town

What Helps Us Before or During a Flood? Flood Control Structures Dams/Reservoirs Wildwood Pittock Fanshawe Dykes and Floodwalls St. Mary’s London Broughdale West London Ada-Jacqueline Clarence-Nelson Riverview Byron Channels Ingersoll Stratford Mitchell There are large dams upriver around London that hold water back. High-water downriver then has time to flow out to the lake before flooding happens. Chatham lies downriver from Thamesville. Here there are diversion channels that can take water out of the river and let it flow a different way. This usually works to keep floods from happening. Sometimes though, we have too much ice and water for these things to stop a flood. We need to stay safe during these high- water events. Here’s how! These men are using a Diversion Channel and Pumps to stop flooding. Wildwood Pittock Fanshawe Fanshawe Dam and Reservoir

Hi Aunt Mary, I need some help … How to Stay Safe Your family can practice for emergencies. Know a couple of ways you can all travel to reach safety. Hi Aunt Mary, I need some help … Never go near streams or rivers alone Have emergency contact numbers near/entered into your phone or cellphone ALWAYS TELL AN ADULT WHERE YOU ARE GOING! Have a friend or relative you can call if you are separated from your family. Know their phone number.

How to Stay Safe Bring your pets to a friend who lives out of the flood zone before the flood happens. Have an emergency kit ready with blankets, some food, radio, clothes, medication, and flashlights … Don’t forget your toothbrush!

What to Expect: You might have to go somewhere safer, so bring a few important things with you. There might not be lights or power for a while, so you may need lots of blankets and clothes to keep warm. You could see lots of water and emergency workers (Police, Ambulance and Fire) helping everyone. Don’t be afraid. They are there to keep you safe. It’s a hard time for everyone, so listen to your Mom or Dad and be a good helper.

If you have a brother, sister or friend who is scared: Think of some fun things to do until everything is back to normal again. Share toys, stories and good feelings. Even though floods sometimes happen, they don’t last forever. Things will get better again! Let them know that there are lots of people helping everyone even if you can’t see them.

The End