Page 60 - (DK) Danger! Open with Extreme Caution!
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riverine flooding As a river flows toward the ocean, it is fed by both smaller streams and the land draining water into it. Sometimes, owing to heavy rainfall or melting snow, this water runs into the river faster than the river can carry it away, causing it to burst its banks. Such riverine flooding can paint enormous areas of the landscape with its dirty water, while the water’s sheer strength can carry cars, trees,
and even small buildings away.
enough to paint a different landscape. Heavy rainstorms and melting ice
boundaries and cause a flood. Just a brush stroke of bad weather can be
Urban flooding When a city is pounded with heavy rain, the sewers can quickly reach their full capacity. The excess water overflows the drains and surges out onto the city streets. While urban floods can be a nuisance for pedestrians and drivers, the risk of death or serious damage is low.
When there’s too much water in one place, it can spill over its usual
or snow can cause seas, lakes, rivers, and even sewers to overflow.
Floodwaters can cause masses of mayhem, wreaking havoc on
the land, ruining crops, washing away roads and railroads,
WATERCOLORS
and saturating buildings and houses.
Flash flood These unpredictable floods can strike with incredible speed. Flash floods occur when heavy rain hammering down on a small area collects in a gully or stream. The floodwaters move in a strong, rushing current, carrying destructive debris, tearing out trees, and demolishing any structures in their way, from buildings to bridges.
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