What is Flooding?

Flooding is the overflow of water onto typically dry ground. Floods can occur as a result of strong rains, ocean waves, rapid melting of snow, or the failure of dams or levees. Flooding can be devastating with only a few inches of water or it can cover a house up to the roof. Floods can occur in minutes or over time, lasting days, weeks, or months. Floods are the most common and widespread natural disasters caused by weather.

Types of Floods.

Flash Floods

Flash floods occur as a result of intense rainfall or a cloudburst over a narrow drainage area. Flash floods are more common in mountainous settings or steep sites with streams flowing through small gorges, and they carry highly destructive flood surges.

Riverine Floods

Riverine Floods occur when a huge amount of rain falls in river systems that have tributaries that drain large areas with several independent river basins. Depending on the intensity, amount, and distribution of the rainfall, they can endure a few hours or several days.

Tidal Floods

Tidal Floods occur when vast bodies of water, such as the sea or lakes, overflow into neighboring regions. They are mostly caused by high tides, strong rains that accompany cyclones, storm-generated waves, and long waves produced by earthquakes at sea.

Ponding

Ponding is the slow accumulation of water in depressions, sinks, and locations with clay base soil and slow percolation rates.

Causes and Effects

Causes of Flooding in Jamaica

The main sources of flooding in Jamaica are as follows:

1.Extreme rainfall caused by tropical weather disturbances.
2.Deforestation

3.Ineffective Agricultural Practices
4.Disruptions caused by insufficient drainage channel design
5.Inadequate maintenance of drainage facilities, trash brought by floodwaters clogging
6.Building settlements in floodplains

Effects of Floods

1. Interfere with one's personal, economic, and social activities
2. Set back the country's security and growth by damaging or destroying roads, buildings, and other infrastructure.
3.By harming or destroying roads, buildings, and other infrastructure, you are putting the nation's security and progress at risk.
4.Result in death via drowning
5. As a result of low food supply, famine may occur.
6.Destruction of crops and cattle