Impacts of Floods

Environmental

• A flood brings with it many environmental issues, even after the flood has receded. Flat areas that do not have trees or rocks to prevent erosion are often swept away. Farm fields, which typically are located in flat areas, become washed out and crops are lost. Contaminants from sewer back-ups and other waste may be washed into the water supply, resulting in water that is unsafe for residents to use. The shelters of animals in the area are also washed out, resulting in many homeless animals that can cause problems for their owners.

Economic

• Floods can hit a local economy hard. Residents who live in the area experience a financial burden in replacing lost items and fixing their homes. Businesses also suffer, not only from the loss of property, but the lack of customers during the flood and for awhile after during recovery. Farmers also suffer from the loss of their crops.

Financial

• Some residents who do not carry flood insurance suffer a great financial hardship. Those who do have insurance get help with the clean-up, but some costs may still come out of pocket. Towns and cities that are impacted by a flood carry the financial burden of fixing the public buildings, roads and other structures damaged by the flood waters. People who are impacted by the flood may also lose wages because the business they work for suffered damages or they are unable to get to work.

Health

• Flood waters can also damage the health of those living and working in the area. Because flood waters can wash dangerous waste into water supplies, tap water may become unsafe to use if the local authorities do not issue a boil advisory warning everyone to boil water before ingesting it. Mold is also likely to grow in homes and other buildings that were engulfed by the flood waters. It is important to search all homes for mold and remove it completely prior to moving back in. Breathing the mold spores is very dangerous for your health. A flood can also contribute to other health problems from human waste that contaminates the ground.

Safety

• Areas that experience a flood become unsafe. When the flooding begins, strong currents can pull even a grown man beneath the water to drown. Once the flood waters have settled, it is still unsafe to wander through the water by car or on foot. Deep spots may be undetectable and there may be electric currents running through the water as well. If you must go into the water, it is important to take safety precautions, such as wearing rubber high-water boots and moving carefully.