Our Group Disaster Management Plan:

Flooding

By student W, student X, student Y and student Z

Contents page• What are the risk factors and causes of floods?

• What are the impacts on people and the environment?

• What is in place in Australia to prevent this?

• What measures can be taken to prevent, reduce, and respond to floods?

What are the risk factors and causes of

floods?

Rain can cause floods:

• Risk factors include lack of drainage, rain for long periods of time, lots of rain in a short period of time and more rain than the ground can handle.

 

River overflow:

• Risk factors: more water than usual from another water source/river or lots of rain. This can also happen in low lying areas known as floodplains.

Strong winds in coastal areas:

• Risk factors: strong winds can cause giant waves and hurricances which can cause tsunamis and flooding when they hit land.

 

Dam breaking:

• Risk factors: too much water stored in a dam can lead to the walls breaking and water overflowing. Water can be intentionally released to stop the dam breaking however this to can lead to flooding.

 

Ice and snow-melts:

• Risk factors: global warming can cause the ice to melt which then causes sea levels to rise and effect low level areas by forcing extra water onto normally dry areas of land.

Risks and Causes

What is in place in Australia to prevent

this?• Use dot points

• Include the source for your information

• Credit any images you use

Flood Warning System

• Flood Warning System devised by the Australian Government

• © Sourced from http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/safetyinformation/warningsystems/Pages/default.aspx

Town planning and prevention

• © Sourced from http://eschooltoday.com/natural-disasters/floods/flood-prevention-methods.html

Build Sea / Coastal Defence Walls Retaining walls Town planning to ensure buildings are not

placed on floodplains and to include drainage

Trees, plants and grass to prevent erosion Education for communities to help reduce

the dangers and to prepare Detention basin which temporarily store

water to hold off the flood water as long as possible

The Bureau of Meterology

• The Bureau of Meteorology provides rainfall and river level data to monitor water levels. • Council and other agencies including the Emergency Services provide data on their web

site.• Weather is monitored. Prediction and detection is the first step. Interpretation of the data

and finally a message is constructed to inform the public whilst a response team is being devised.

• Warnings are provided to the public advising whether flooding is expected to be minor, moderate or major.

• An Alert, Watch or Advice will be issued depending on the location and severity. • The Bureau of Meteorology works with the council to implement flood warning systems

where appropriate.

Source:

http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood/EMA_Floods_warning_preparedness_safety.pdf

• © Screenshots taken from the Bureau of Metereology at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood/EMA_Floods_warning_preparedness_safety.pdf

Understanding warnings and where to get help

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council

The Sunshine Coast Disaster Management Plan has been devised to solve this problem. The plan can be found at http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/sitePage.cfm?code=disaster-plan

Many roles are outlined. The main ideas from this sample table © http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/addfiles/documents/emergency_management/13_appendix_c.pdf

What are the impacts on people and the

environment

Impacts

• Some animals will thrive whilst others will be killed or need to move on• Animals which live on the ground such as mammals and reptiles are most affected• The waterways become eroded, contaminated and filled with rubbish which also affects the plants and

animals living there• Lots of fish get stranded and die• Flooded areas lose their protection such as banks or trees making them more likely to flood again• Soil gets contaminated and affects farming• The seafood industry is affected for a number of months as the seabed gets a toxic covering• There is a large financial cost to the town• roads, bridges, farms, houses and cars are destroyed• people become homeless• emergency workers such as fireman, police, SES and other volunteers help out where they can• It can take years to rebuild• The water supply and electricity can be affected • Floods can cause and spread diseases • Flood water can also bring lots of nutrients and minerals to the land• Source: http://www.wildlife.org.au/news/2011/flooding5.html • Source: http://eschooltoday.com/natural-disasters/floods/effects-of-flooding.html

What measures can be taken to prevent, reduce, and respond to

floods?

• Use dot points

• Include the source for your information

• Credit any images you use

Before

• Find out if you live in a floodplain and if so, have an electrician raise your electrical ports above flood level. • Find out your community emergency plan, evacuation plan, warning signals and shelters • Plan and practice a flood evacuation• Set up an emergency contact within your family who lives in a different area • If you are being evacuated, turn of all electricity and be aware of fallen power lines• Secure items in your backyard and raise furniture where possible if you have time• Install backflow valves on all drains and toilets so they cannot overflow• Put all chemicals as high as possible to avoid them contaminating the water• Have an emergency supply kit with your important documents, food, water, phone chargers, money and a radio. • Fill the bath and empty containers with clean water. Enough food and water for 3 to 5 days. • Keep a first aid kit and medicines close by as well as batteries, a torch and blankets• Have baby items ready to go including formula, wipes and nappies• Have toiletries ready to go • A car emergency kit including food, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags,

etc.• Good shoes, insect repellent and gloves• Make sure you have plenty of fuel • Bring your pets• Listen for disaster sirens and warning signals as well as tuning into the radio• Do not walk or drive through flood water Source: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/readiness.asp

During

• Flooding can start quickly so you must evacuate and find higher ground as soon as possible.• Only take important belongings, your emergency supplies, pets and help elderly people and

children.• Unplug and turn off all electrical appliances and gas. • Do not drive, walk or swim through flood water so you don’t get swept away.• Keep clear from fallen power lines.• Try to stay out of the floodwaters as they may contain chemicals or sharp objects. • Was your hands with soap after coming into contact with floodwaters. • Stay away from power lines or broken power transmission cables. • Try to keep away from flood water as it may contain chemicals or other hazardous materials.• Listen to the radio or tv for updates and head to the nearest shelter.• Tie down items outside if you have enough warning.

Source: http://eschooltoday.com/natural-disasters/floods/before-during-after-floods.html

Source: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/pdf/be-ready-floods.pdf

After

• Disinfect everything and throw away anything that cannot be disinfected

• Listen to the radio for information about the safety of drinking water and where to get supplies

• Wear gloves and boots when cleaning up

• Be careful to avoid the floodwaters which may contain rubbish, chemicals or hazards

• Make sure your house has been cleared for you to return

• Don’t turn on any electrical appliances until you have received clearance from a qualified electrician

• Take photos of damage for insurance

• Have the building checked for safety

• Watch out for wildlife such as snakes or spiders

• Stock up on food and fuel

• Source: http://eschooltoday.com/natural-disasters/floods/before-during-after-floods.html

• Source: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/pdf/be-ready-floods.pdf

• Source: http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/safetyinformation/flood/Pages/recoverfromaflood.aspx