Requirement 4 (B)
Requirement
Identify a local or regional area that experiences periodic flooding and/or drought. Collect facts on prior event(s) and investigate the environmental impacts of these extreme events.
What Causes Flooding?
Flooding occurs when the volume of water from rainfall and rapid snowmelt exceeds the capacity of the environment’s natural drainage systems. While elevation and sunlight dictate how quickly water accumulates, the primary “brake” on flooding is the surface’s ability to absorb moisture.
In populated areas, this balance is disrupted by paving and urban development. Unlike natural ground, surfaces such as asphalt and concrete do not allow water to percolate. This rapid movement of water greatly increases the frequency and severity of urban floods.
Understanding the Causes of Flooding
What Causes Drought?
Droughts happen when an area receives significantly less rainfall than usual over an extended period, resulting in a critical shortage of water. Environmental factors such as high temperatures, intense sunlight, persistent winds, and dry soil conditions can exacerbate drought by accelerating evaporation and reducing water availability for plants, animals, and people.
Humans are part of the ecosystem; we use resources, create waste, and interact with other species, thereby affecting the delicate balance of our shared environment. Over-extraction of groundwater during dry spells causes long-term ecological damage, including land subsidence and biodiversity loss. These shifts lead to devastating ecological and economic impacts, including rising food prices and increased water treatment costs. Here’s a natural, original rewording:
Severe drought can significantly reduce hydropower generation, prompting communities to rely on costly fossil fuels, which increase carbon emissions and further strain the climate. In the end, the way we handle ecosystems during dry periods affects not only whether local wildlife can endure but also the economic well-being of the people who live there.
Extreme Weather Events
Extreme weather events include droughts, hurricanes, and blizzards. The examples below demonstrate how the weather can devastate communities.
The Southwestern Megadrought, lasting over twenty years from the start of the 21st century, is the region’s driest period in 1,200 years. Following increasing temperatures and a lack of precipitation, the Colorado River and reservoirs like Lake Mead have been depleted. This is jeopardizing hydropower generation and necessitating water rationing across seven states.
Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2005. The hurricane brought powerful winds and heavy rain. There was severe flooding that damaged homes, schools, and roads. Many people had to evacuate the city. The hurricane caused an estimated 1,400 deaths.
In 2022, a blizzard struck Buffalo, New York, causing the deaths of 47 people. Heavy snow, freezing temperatures, and strong winds caused whiteout conditions. Many feet of snow buried parts of the city. First responders had difficulty reaching those in need, underscoring how hazardous winter storms can be, despite the region’s experience with low temperatures.
Tools To Research Droughts and Floods
Droughts and floods result from extreme variations in weather and climate patterns. A drought develops when an area experiences prolonged periods of low rainfall, often worsened by high temperatures, dry winds, and human activities like overuse of water and deforestation. Flooding, on the other hand, occurs when intense rain, fast snowmelt, or rivers spilling exceeds the land’s capacity to take in water. The flooding can be intensified by poor drainage systems, urbanization, or the destruction of natural floodplains. Although droughts and floods are natural disasters, human activity and climate change can make them more frequent and severe.
How To Use FEMA’s Flood Search Tool
How To Use the NIDIS Interactive Drought Map Tool
Suggested Activity: Local Flood/Drought Research Case Study
Suggested Activity: Local Flood/Drought Research Case Study
1.
Choose Your Location: Pick a nearby city, county, or region that has experienced a flood or drought (use the tools from the videos to identify areas near you).
2.
Find Some Background Facts: Use at least three different sources (news articles, government reports, weather data, local historical records) to find:
- When the event(s) happened
- How severe the flooding or drought was
- What caused it (such as weather patterns, rainfall levels, or human factors).
3.
Document Environmental Impacts: Record specific effects on the environment, such as:
- Damage to ecosystems
- Soil erosion or land degradation
- Water quality changes
- Effects on agriculture or local water supply.
4.
Create a Short Report or Poster: Summarize your findings in a 1–2 page report or a visual poster that includes a timeline, key facts, and impact descriptions.
5.
Include Local Voices: If you can, interview someone in the community (e.g., a farmer, resident, or city official) about how they were affected.
Now that you have investigated local areas that experience flooding or drought,
let’s learn more about the Clean Water Act.
