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• A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. Floods typically occur when heavy rainfall causes a body of water (such as a river or lake to fill beyond normal capacity. Other possible causes include hurricanes and tsunamis, sea tides, and broken dams.

• Fast Facts

  1. On average, floods cause more deaths each year than any other natural disaster
  2. America's deadliest flood: May 31, 1889 in Johnstown, PA (2,200 dead)
  3. World's deadliest flood: China's 1931 Yellow River flood (estimated 4 million deaths)
  4. "Flash floods" occur quickly (usually just a few hours)

• Preparation Tips

  If you think floods pose a threat to your home, there are some things you can do to prepare.

  1. Buy Flood Insurance
  2. Clear your gutters/spouts
  3. Raise electric components above the flood elevation of your house
  4. Move valuables/furniture to upper floors or storage units if heavy flooding is expected
  5. Plan an evacuation route for yourself, your family, and your pets
  6. Have clean water available in case of contamination

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Hurricanes | FEMA | NOAA | How to Prepare for a Natural Disaster | Tsunami | Global Warming | Weather | Disasters

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