Floods!

Sean O’Reilly 9H
Geography
Mr. Nelson
Floods
Due: Last Lesson of Week 9 Term 3
Table of Contents
Introduction_______________________________ Page 3

Methods of Research_________________________ Page 3

Hazard Report______________________________ Page 3

Appendices_________________________________ Page 8

Glossary___________________________________ Page 7

Bibliography________________________________ Page 12
Introduction
The report is going to outline and analyse comprehensively how floods are caused, the
nature and location of floods, the economical and social impacts of floods, the steps the
government could take to reduce the risks and the actions individuals could take to
minimize impact of this natural disaster in the future.

Methods of Research
The methods of research in this assignment are quite varied; from a multitude of
websites, to books, to referenced newspaper articles and journal articles. The newspaper
articles are also quite recent because two weeks ago a devastating flood struck Victoria in
Australia and caused thousands to flee their homes. Flooding is not a rare occurrence in
Australia and now in this season it becomes quite common so research and particularly
newspaper articles were not hard to find.

Hazard report
The first point that will be outlined is the nature and location of the hazard in question
(floods). Floods can occur in many different locations and at any time with no warning at
all. Floods that occur with no warning are called flash floods these are the most dangerous
because of their unpredictability. However these usually follow large amounts of rain and
occur when rivers or waterways swell and burst their banks or when an empty canal can
overflow with no warning. Floods that last a long time can be equally devastating because
of the lingering flood waters are a haven for mosquitoes and disease; that is why people in
flood prone areas should pack ample water because flood water is undrinkable and is the
primary method of spreading disease. Floods can occur in many different areas, such
diversity is dangerous as floods can hit in many different places but there are certain
flood prone areas that need to be highlighted. Countries with a big river running through
e.g. China .But this is not the case many other countries can flood even if there is no major
river such as Pakistan (The floods in September that have devastated the region) (Also
see Article 1 for information on the floods in Victoria). There are also many types’ of
floods: Riverine there is a slow kind which are caused by excess run off and heavy monsoon
rains, the fast kind which are caused by precipitation. Another type is Estuarine which are
caused by sea and tidal surges and storm force winds. Coastal floods which are caused by
severe sea storms. Catastrophic floods are caused by catastrophic events e.g. dam
breakage. Muddy floods are floods are caused by excess crop run off filled with sediment
that gives it that muddy texture. And another type of flood is when dam building beavers
flood low lying urban areas. These are the nature and locations of floods. Floods can also
be categorized according to their duration. Slow onset floods last for one week or more
and cause extensive damage to agricultural products. Rapid onset floods last for one to
two days and are more dangerous and cause more damage because there is less time to
prepare then with a rapid onset flood. Flash floods happen in a matter of minutes and
cause the greatest damage to society.

Geographical processes
Floods are caused when the soil becomes over saturated with water and the water floods
the surrounding landscape (See diagram 1). The sun heats the ocean and causes
evaporation, the water then condenses as clouds and they become heavy enough and fall to
earth. This is a natural process but when this process goes to the extremes is when
problems occur. The Earth is like a sponge, it absorbs water but like a sponge it can only
hold so much before it becomes saturated. When this happens a flood occurs, as
mentioned previously there are many types of floods; some don’t even come from the over
saturation of soil from rain they can come from tidal surges that wash huge amounts of
water on to the land. Flash floods usually occur at night when where there is a high level of
atmospheric moisture, flash flooding can also be cause by slow moving storms or train
effect storms. Flash flood waves can reach break neck speeds; they can roll boulders,
tear out trees, destroy bridges and scour out new channels. Crushing walls of up to 10-20
ft high can also form during flash floods. Floods that aren’t as fast often linger in said
area for days, weeks or even months and the water can get very polluted and undrinkable
and people can be exposed to disease and the elements. Some water lines can recede
quickly but others not so much.

Economic, Social, and Environmental impacts

Flooding can be widespread in both rural and urban areas and are a great risk for property
and items inside the house as flood waters can rush through the door. The economic
impact of floods is that they can cause massive erosion on land and not only severely
compromise the structural integrity of a property; they can carry away many valued
possessions. It is wise to take out insurance to safeguard property if flood damage occurs,
compensation will be received. The economic impact does only count individuals
governments pay huge sums of money to repair things broken in floods and suffer millions
of dollars in damages. Floods can also have social impacts, severe flooding can destroy
small communities and severely damage homes and families. Floods can also lead to loss of
farmland which can lead to bankruptcy and severe depression in farmers and their families
as they will have lost almost everything in an extreme case and will be forced to move and
start anew. The Environmental impacts of floods are landslides and instability of the
earth, this commonly causes erosion on the removal of topsoil. These can also lead to a
special type of flood mentioned earlier called a muddy flood. These floods are very murky
and are filled with topsoil and silt. Floods can also cause damage to crops and farmland, the
soil becomes over saturated and the roots get flushed out. Floods can also spill into waste
systems and contaminate the water even more.

The steps a government could take to reduce problems

There are many systems in place that deal with floods and problems that occur when
floods arise one of these systems is floodgates. Floodgates are devices that allow the flow
of water from water systems to be controlled as to prevent flooding. The exact design of
floodgates will vary, depending on the overall design of the dam or spillway. In some cases,
the main function of the floodgates is to direct the flow of water from one section of the
water system to another. At other times, the floodgates operate as a means of lowering
the water level of the section of river or lake that is found behind a dam or spillway. This
is often an important function that can be used to lower the amount of pressure on the
dam or reservoir when rain or melting snow has generated an amount of water in the
system than is considered desirable or safe. While the design for floodgates may vary
somewhat based on purpose and the structure of the retaining water system, all types will
have a few elements in common. Valves are a common component on all floodgate designs.
Most valve designs today allow for both automated and manual operation. When the valves
are engaged, the mechanism of the floodgates allows for the opening of the gates and the
release of a controlled amount of water. The valves help to control the rate and speed
that the water is released, so that flooding is not likely to occur as a result. (For how drum
gates work see diagram 3) Also to protect against big waves wave breakers can be built
that will stop big waves spilling into the surrounding area. These defenses are crucial to
stopping floods as floods can cause monumental amounts of damage and costs of dealing
with floods can get ridiculous amounting to billions of dollars.
Actions to prevent floods for individuals
Precautions that can be taken to minimize damages are: elevating the property, sewer taps
should be installed with valves as well to make sure the water doesn’t get in, barriers
should be constructed to stop the flood waters, seal the basement walls to prevent
seepage, and if warned about flash flooding evacuate immediately. If you are preparing to
evacuate, then you should secure your home. If you have the time, move the valuables and
essentials to an elevated place or upper floor. Also turn off all the utilities like power
supply, water supply, gas supply etc at its main source. Also disconnect all electrical
appliances, if possible. This will help to prevent flood damage to the maximum extent
possible. Residential retaining walls are generally meant to hold soil in place and prevent
erosion. When properly placed and designed, retaining walls can also deter flood water and
protect your property. Their cost (installing a masonry retaining wall averages over
$5,000) can be prohibitive for many homeowners; unless you have experienced lots of
trouble with flooding, it might be better to consider other options first. On the cheaper
side of preventing water damage and flooding is gutter cleaning. Gutters, though often
overlooked, can be a great benefit but only if they are properly maintained. Clean gutter
systems are designed to carry water to an area where it will create the least damage. On
the other hand, clogged gutters don't just perform poorly, they have been linked to
erosion, basement flooding, and even foundation damage. At an average cost of $191
nationwide, having your gutters cleaned is one of the most affordable ways to reduce the
risk of water damage. Conventional asphalt and concrete pavement blocks water from
naturally seeping into the ground. To counter this effect, consider using permeable
pavement, paving stones, or grass pave. If you really want to save some money and reduce
runoff at the same time, skip the paving all together and opt for gravel fill instead
(residential asphalt paving averages $4,704; gravel fill averages less than $1,000). Sump
pumps are basically the last line of defense against excess water. When ground water
rises to a critical point, a sump pump begins to divert that water away from your home
where it won't harm your property. While installing a sump pump is not an infallible
defense against flooding, when precipitation threatens property damage. These are the
best defenses against floods when they come to your home.
Glossary
Riverine: Originating from a river
Estuarine: Originating from an estuary
Saturated: When the holding capacity of something has been reached
Train effect: sequential storms that release precipitation over the same area

Appendix

Diagram 1: How rain occurs

Retrieved from
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/floo
d-cycle.jpg on the 9/9/10
Diagram 2
Average
Rainfalls in
Australia in July
2010. Retrieved
from:
http://www.daff
a.gov.au/brs/cli
mate-
impact/climate-
agricultural-
update/july2010

on 12/9/10
Diagram 3: How drum gates work
Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Drumgate.png
on 14/9/10

Worst of Victoria floods yet to come

Greg Roberts and Mariza O'Keefe
September 5, 2010

AAP

The worst effects of the heaviest floods in Victoria in more than 15 years are yet to be felt with
hundreds more homes expected to be inundated with water.

The rain eased on Sunday after falls of up to 200mm but the state of emergency remains, with
floodwaters yet to peak.

The cost of the floods will be in the million of dollars and massive areas have been, and will be,
affected with floodwaters peaking near Benalla and Wangaratta in the northeast but yet to peak
in the Goulburn River in the north and Wimmera River in the west.

Hydrologists were analysing affected Victorian rivers on Sunday to see how strong downstream
flows and flooding would be, State Emergency Service (SES) state controller Tim Wiebusch told
reporters on Sunday.

"Our state is very wet. We are seeing flood levels that we haven't seen for many years," he said.

"There will be some impacts today, particularly around the likes of Benalla and Wangaratta and
then we'll start to see some impacts in Gippsland as well.

"But then, over the next couple of days is where we start to see the flow-on impacts up the
Goulburn into the likes of the bigger townships of Shepparton and Horsham out in the
Wimmera."

More than 250 homes had been evacuated in the northeast by early Sunday, including in Euroa,
Benalla, Myrtleford, Bright and Jamieson.

Premier John Brumby predicted there would be "hundreds more" evacuations with the Nagambie
Caravan Park on the Goulburn River being evacuated on Sunday.

He said about 40,000 Victorians had been left without power, particularly in Melbourne's eastern
suburbs, the Mornington Peninsula and parts of Ballarat and Creswick, west of Melbourne.

Euroa residents were mopping up after the worst of the flood threat appeared to have receded on
Sunday, local business operator Annie Mahon said.

The Seven Creeks Hotel manager said the main bridge into the town was cut from about 7pm
(AEST) on Saturday and residents at the local caravan park had to be relocated.

She expected some businesses, including hers, would have been affected economically - having
to close during the floods.
"We haven't seen such an amount of water in a long time, so I think it's given everybody a bit of
a buzz. Even though it's been a bit of a worry, the fact that there is so much water is good news,"
she said.

Benalla Rural City mayor Bill Hill said the waters from the Broken River peaked at 4.5 metres at
about 8.45am (AEST), just a metre below the famous flood levels of 17 years ago.

He said low-lying areas of the town had been inundated, with about 50 homes evacuated late
Saturday.

"The people in Benalla who needed to be evacuated have been evacuated smoothly," Mr Hill told
AAP.

Severe winds lashed Victoria's west coast and Melbourne's bayside suburbs on Saturday night
causing trees to fall and damaging buildings.

The SES received 625 calls on Saturday night, mostly relating to fallen trees and building
damage, with wind gusts of up to 130km/h in alpine areas.

There have been no serious injuries but authorities urged people not to drive or walk through
floodwater.

Mr Wiebusch said towns near the Mitchell River, Macalister River and Lake Glenmaggie in the
Gippsland region in Victoria's east remained threatened by floods and could be left isolated by
road closures.

Floodwaters in northeastern Victoria have overloaded the sewer system, causing raw sewage to
seep into rivers.

Authorities are warning residents north of Wangaratta to boil for at least three minutes any water
they use as their supply could come from the now-contaminated Ovens River.

Victoria's new emergency alert phone messaging system has been used seven times so far with
flood warnings and advice sent to 51,000 Victorians.

More rain is forecast later in the week, although not as heavy, with up to 30mm expected. But it
could cause extra flooding because of the weekend's events making the ground wet.

Mr Wiebusch urged people in affected areas to be on alert, listen to emergency broadcasters and
monitor www.ses.vic.gov.au and 1300 842 737 (VIC SES).

Article 1: Victoria floods

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