Floods have a potentially devastating impact across the board.
The devastating impact of floods can be felt on many levels. Some of the negative effects are immediate, while others have a more prolonged effect. The extent of devastation depends not only on the meteorological specifications of the storm itself but also on the demographic and socioeconomic vulnerability of the region. Regardless, all are affected and lives are changed forever.
Destruction of Property
Floods are capable of destroying all sorts of buildings, from houses to businesses and everything in between. Roadways, traffic lights and other civic structures can also be lost. In rural areas, crop loss is also a concern .
Loss of Life
The quickly rising flash floods are the most dangerous in that they sneak up on people, sometimes with tragic results. All floods are inherently dangerous, however, as the depths of standing water (where water usually isn't present) are often misjudged as people try to flee. Another, less immediate byproduct of standing water is that it is a breeding ground for disease. This poses a threat long after the rain has gone, as seen in New Orleans during the Hurricane Katrina aftermath.
Economic Impact
This effect has several tiers. First, there's the loss of businesses in the area, but there's also the issue of rebuilding and how long it takes. After a devastating flood, many people tend to move away. The reduced population doesn't provide much incentive for a business to rebuild in the area. Lastly, there's also the actual costs to repair the locale. Streets, city service buildings and bridges all need to be replaced.
Changed Lives
Lives are forever altered after a flood. Some changes are more dramatic than others, but everyone is ultimately impacted. Some families uproot and move elsewhere. Even for those who stay behind, things will never be quite the same. Surviving a flood is a traumatic experience.
Renewal
Much depends on the geography of the region, but many times communities will build new structures to prevent such catastrophes in the future. The rebuilt levees in New Orleans are a prime example. Cities and townships tend to learn from tragic disasters, rebuilding with safety in mind.
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