Extreme flooding can result in massive property damage.
A flood occurs when land that is not normally covered by water becomes covered. Floods occur due to breaches or overflows in barriers meant to keep water in a contained area. They can also be caused by fluctuation in precipitation and snowmelt. A flash flood is a sudden rising of water that occurs with little warning due to several hours of intense precipitation. Floods can be dangerous and destructive. Projects involving floods can help students begin understanding how floods behave and keep safe in a flood.
Famous Floods
Hurricane Katrina caused one of the most destructive floods in United States history.
Identify a major flood that has occurred in the past 25 years. Research what caused it and the destruction it brought. Look at how local, state, and federal governments responded to the disaster. Find an example of neighbor-to-neighbor aid. Next research how or if the affected community has rebuilt. Note any long-term consequences of the flood and whether the community has made changes so the same thing does not happen again. Prepare a presentation of your research that includes charts, graphs, and pictures. This could be done on a display board or as a slide show on a computer.
Create A Flood
A few toys and a sand table can show students how destructive a flood can be.
Fill a large tray with sand. Form a river channel that winds through the tray. Use clay, small toys, and twigs to form houses, parks, schools, and people along the river. Slightly tip one end of the tray by placing a book under it. Slowly pour water into the channel. Observe how the water behaves. Discuss the concept of water erosion. Now simulate a flood by pouring a large amount of water into the channel quickly. Discuss which structures and people are in jeopardy. Discuss how the people in this town could be protected from floods.
Safety Poster
A flood safety poster can teach children information that may one day save their lives.
Create a safety poster about floods. Divide the poster into four sections and illustrate each one with a safety tip. Use dark markers to print the safety tip below each illustration. Include a key at the bottom of the poster that tells the difference between a flood watch, flash flood watch, flood warning and flash flood warning. Use the back of the poster to write interesting facts or information about floods (for example, flash floods are the number one cause of weather-related death in the United States). These facts can add interest when the poster is being presented to others.
Be Prepared
A first aid kit is an essential part of any emergency kit.
Put together two Emergency Preparedness Kits---one for the home and one for the car. This kit could be used for floods and other emergencies that could result in an extended period of time without power, clean water or access to food. The kit should include a first aid kit, canned food, a can opener, bottled water, a battery-operated radio, a flashlight, matches, and protective clothing. For the car kit, include instructions on what to do in case you are caught in a car during a flood. For the home kit, include instructions for turning off electricity, gas and water.
Tags: flash flood, about floods, flood warning, flood watch, include instructions, into channel
