Floods
Floods are a common occurrence and perhaps one of the most destructive hazards in the United States. Flooding can develop slowly, after constant rain for hours or days, or can develop quickly, as in the case associated with Hurricane Katrina where the levees in the Greater New Orleans area were either breeched or overtopped by the waters. In any case, flooding is a serious problem which can cause billions of dollars of damage to a community. The dangers imparted by flooding include the debris carried by the flood waters such as rocks, mud, sewerage, chemicals, etc. In addition, many people underestimate the amount of water on the streets and believe that they can either walk or drive through the flood waters. Over 200 people per year die due to floods. It takes only 18 inches of water to flood a small car, and approximately 2 feet to flood an SUV. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines during a flood.
