OC Flood What is a Flood?
A flood, as defined by the
National Flood Insurance Program is: "A general and temporary condition
of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area
or of two or more properties (at least one of which is your property) from:
- Overflow of inland or tidal waters,
- Unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source, or
- A mudflow.
Los Alamitos - Rochelle Street
January 4, 1995
Photo by Marvin Jempsa
The collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or similar body of
water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water
exceeding anticipated cyclical levels that result in a flood."
Floods can be slow or fast rising but generally develop over a period of days. Mitigation
includes any activities that prevent an emergency, reduce the chance of an emergency
happening, or lessen the damaging effects of unavoidable emergencies. Investing
in mitigation steps now, such as, engaging in floodplain management activities,
constructing barriers, such as levees, and purchasing flood insurance will help
reduce the amount of structural damage to your home and financial loss from building
and crop damage should a flood or flash flood occur.
What is a Flash Flood?
Flash floods usually result from intense storms dropping large amounts of rain within
a brief period. Flash floods occur with little or no warning and can reach full
peak in only a few minutes.
Flash flood water move at very fast speeds and can roll boulders, tear out trees,
destroy buildings, and obliterate bridges. Walls of water can reach heights of 10
to 20 feet and generally are accompanied by a deadly cargo of debris. The best response
to any sign of flash flooding is to move immediately and quickly to higher ground.
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