Introduction to the Research
Floods are serious natural disasters that threaten human lives, infrastructure, have social and economic impacts. The ‘Great Flood’ occurred in 1993 in the Mississippi River Basin. Many people lost their homes, were killed and injured during the natural disaster. It should be the responsibility of the state to develop deterrents to prevent such occurrences. This topic was chosen for research because it is necessary to emphasize the importance of preparedness for such disasters. The study of this weather phenomenon is important in order to avoid similar negative consequences in the future.
The 1993 disaster was chosen due to its unprecedented consequences. This is one of the largest disasters in the US, because of the duration and size of the areas covered by water. The population of the northern part of the United States suffered the most as a result of the flood, people died and were injured, many lost their homes, some of which have not yet been restored. The choice of topic is due to the importance of talking about such weather phenomena in general. The State needs to develop better policies to deal with such events to protect citizens, as 1993 showed an unpreparedness for such emergencies.
Overview of the Phenomenon
In order to understand the causes and consequences of the flood that occurred in the summer of 1993, it is necessary to define the meaning of the concept of flood. According to a simplified definition from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary (2022), a flood is a stream of water that spreads over the surrounding lands. A flood is a temporary overflow of water onto land that is not normally covered by water. In many regions of the planet, natural disasters occur with a high frequency. Flooding can be caused by structural collapse, onshore winds, an earthquake, or a spring flood. Floods provoked by the breakthrough of dams are characterized by suddenness, short duration, but strong impact. Water captures large areas of the territory; the wave blows away objects on the way. In severe disasters, the relief can change, water overflows its usual banks, floods nearby settlements.
The 1993 disaster was called the ‘Great Flood’ because of its duration and destructive power. The flood covered tens of thousands of square kilometers with water and lasted several months. The disaster of 1993 was a record in comparison, given the economic damage and the number of people taken out of the affected territories (Changnon, 2021). The Mississippi River, carrying its waters through the United States, is one of the longest and most powerful rivers in the world. If, in addition, take into account the rather significant climatic range on the territory of the country and various meteorological phenomena, it becomes clear that it is very difficult to predict the behavior of such rivers.
The Causes
The flood of 1993 can be put on a par with the strongest hurricane Katrina in terms of devastating consequences. The natural disaster of 1993 affected the states of Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Missouri (Changnon, 2021). The flooding that erupted from June to August was caused by a number of circumstances. The Flood did not have causes related to surface heating or violations of the integrity of the earth’s crust, the only natural cause that caused severe consequences was abnormal rainfall levels. Rainfall in North Dakota, Kansas, and Iowa has been abnormal, above average recorded levels (Changnon, 2021). The riverbeds could not contain such an amount of water, which fell in the form of incessant torrential rains. At the same time, the soil, already saturated with moisture, absorbed much less water than usual due to the established cool weather. Attempts to drain the adjacent territories, change the course of rivers, and build dams also provoked a catastrophe.
Social Impacts
In all flooded areas, the disaster caused serious social consequences. In order to control the situation and help the population, an assessment of the scale of the disaster and its impact on the health and condition was immediately carried out. The local water supply system was disrupted, and important social points, such as pharmacies and medical centers, were closed (US Department of Commerce, 2022). Several counties reported injuries, hypothermia and wound infections; all lands affected by the flood had an increase in the number of exacerbations of chronic diseases among the population (US Department of Commerce, 2022). The emerging public health threats required a long-term effort to address them.
Short Term Consequences
The most terrible short-term consequences of the flood were human casualties. As a result of the catastrophe, over 50 people died on flooded lands (Changnon, 2021). Thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes because of the destruction and risks of water spreading (Changnon, 2021). The surge in chronic diseases, the growing number of patients with injuries can also be called short-term consequences (Changnon, 2021). The catastrophe resulted in intense consequences for the mental health of the population, a growing level of stress, depressive and post-traumatic disorders.
Long Term Consequences
In economic terms, the 1993 flood was one of the costliest. Destroyed dams, agricultural lands, transport routes required significant funds for restoration. More than 70 settlements were completely flooded, thousands of people needed evacuation (US Geological Survey, 2022). These economic consequences were long-lasting. Losses can be estimated at more than $15 billion (US Geological Survey, 2022). Some settlements destroyed during the flood have not yet been restored. The catastrophic consequences also resulted in the development of policies to prevent such a situation and minimize damage.
Readiness for the Flood
There are forces that keep natural events, such as floods, at bay and minimize the impact. In order to avoid human losses, a memo on behavior during floods is developed and warning systems are triggered to notify the population (Hammood et al., 2021). Fortifications are being created, dams are being built, and their condition is being supervised. Based on weather research, disasters can be predicted and prevented in advance. However, in 1993 these systems did not work as expected. No attempts were made to manage the situation to minimize the damage. However, it is almost impossible to predict the behavior of large rivers, so the government cannot be blamed for inaction.
Mitigation and Prevention Plans
After the floods in the US, as often happens after such natural disasters, the state’s floodplain policy began to be reconsidered. Much attention was paid to the control of wetlands and the location of dams. However, no dam, even the highest and most powerful, can guarantee the absolute safety of the lands adjacent to the river or its tributary. In addition, the government bought from the inhabitants in the lowlands in the territories of the flood of rivers in order to make natural areas there and plant parks. In case of possible floods in the USA, the flooding of these zones is much less dangerous for humans.
Conclusion
The consequences of natural phenomena are catastrophic for society and the economy. The 1993 flood was devastating and ranks among the most catastrophic natural disasters in the United States. The flood had short-term consequences in the form of human death and injury, and long-term economic costs. Strategic plans were developed to prevent such phenomena, but in 1993 this did not help. To mitigate the consequences of such disasters, it is necessary not to settle in places of potential spills, to strengthen dams and instruct the population.
References
Changnon, S. (2021). The Great Flood of 1993: Causes, Impacts, and Responses. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis Group. q Changnon, S. (2021). The Great Flood of 1993: Causes, Impacts, and Responses. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis Group.
Hammood, W., Abdullah Arshah, R., Mohamad Asmara, S., Al Halbusi, H., A. Hammood, O., & Al Abri, S. (2021). A systematic review on flood early warning and response system (FEWRS): a deep review and analysis. Sustainability, 13(1), 440-464.
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