1. Floods & Preparation
Geography Natural Disasters Final Group Project – Dennis De Melo

2. What Is Flooding?
By definition, Flooding is a Natural Hazard. It is something needing special attention in areas where a flood could happen so it does not become a Disaster. There are relatively few places on Earth where people do not need to be concerned about flooding. Any place where rain falls is vulnerable, although rain is not the only contributor to floods

3. Example – Colorado Flood
One recent example of a flood in 2013 was the Colorado Flood. It took the most considerable air-lift efforts to help evacuate people since the time Hurricane Katrina caused floods.
This flood was a simple equation of too much rainfall.
Northern Colorado: Boulder, Longmont, near Estes Park, Lyons, and Hwy 34 along the Big Thompson River - Colorado
Map of Longmont near Estes Park, Lyons, and Hwy 34 along the Big Thompson River - Colorado

4. Example – Colorado Flood Impact:
Agricultural losses to crops and pasture land
28,525 crop acres affected
39,000 acres of pasture and rangeland affected
Estes National Park Tourism/economy completely affected
Areas leading into the park were damaged due to flood

5. What Kind of Damage Can A Small Flood Do?
Even minor floods can cause major loss within a community.
This is just one example of the damages to a small community after a nearby river flooded.
Nearly 200 homes were destroyed, and many residents were displaced, all belongings lost.

6. So How Do We Prepare?
Here are some following tips to remember for flood preparation:
Flood Prep Tips:
How to prepare you and your property:

7. Flood FAQ: No region is safe from flooding.
All 50 states are subject to flash floods.
Flash floods can bring walls of water from 10 to 20 feet high.
In the last 10 years, average flooding cost the U.S. $2.9 billion per year.
To stay safe during a flood, go to the highest ground possible.
If your skin comes in contact with flood water, make sure to wash with soap and disinfected water because contents of water are unknown.
Flooding can be caused by spring thawing
Snow and frozen grounds melting in the spring, heavy rains, snow melt runoffs, flash floods, and mudflows.
Floods are the most widespread natural disaster aside from wildfires.
90 percent of all U.S. natural disasters declared by the President involve some sort of flooding.
It is important to stock up on first aid items in preparation for floods
Non-perishable foods
3 gallons of water per person for 3 days
Battery operated radio for weather reports
Extra batteries
Personal hygiene necessities
Flood damage is almost never covered by homeowners insurance
Communities at highest risk for flooding are those located in low-lying areas, near water, or downstream from a damn.

8. Prepare!
Know we are never safe from natural hazards. However, if we can minimize the risk of becoming a disaster, we will be better off for it.
Do your research, learn if you are in a flood-risk area, and prepare based on your knowledge.

9. Works Cited Slide 2 - Colorado Flood Picture 1:
Jason Samenow (2013) Pulled from The Washington Post, Online
Slide 2 - Colorado Flood Picture - Map:
Google Maps (2014). Google Maps. Available online from
Slide 3 - Colorado Flood Loss Examples:
Norman L. Dalsted, John Deering, Rebecca Hill, and Martha Sullins (2013) FLOOD DAMAGE LOSSES TO AGRICULTURAL CROPS IN COLORADO Production and Farm Management Report, No. 4. Available from
David Persons (2013) Flood damage could result in significant consequences to the Estes economy. Pulled from Estes Park Trail Gazette Available from
Slide 4 - Flood Impact:
Eric Horng (2014) Marseilles flood damage among worst in Chicago area pulled from
Slide 5 - Flood Preparation:
Flood Prep Tips
Flood Preparedness Video: How to prepare you and your property
Slide 6 - Flood FAQ:
11 Facts About Floods -