What Causes a Flood??⛈️ | Natural Disasters

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:00]Did you know that floods cause more damage and fatalities per year than [music] tornadoes, hurricanes, or lightning in the United States? Taking a step back, what actually causes a flood?

[00:00:09]Just about any place on Earth is capable of experiencing a flood as they occur when excess [music] rainwater raises water levels in ponds, rivers, and lakes, or when the soil is unable to absorb it all. There are some environmental factors [music] that can play a large role in maintaining floodwater levels. All different kinds of plant life help [music] provide structuring that holds back rainwater through diverting the path of flow.

[00:00:29]Trees also maintain the structure of the soil, which allows the ground to absorb the water as it passes over. However, due to deforestation, [music] which dries the soil out and makes the ground less permeable, as well as the spread of urban construction, many natural flood preventatives [music] are slowly disappearing, which increases the likelihood of floods accumulating.

[00:00:47]These flat surfaces [music] of concrete and pavement allow for quicker water flow with no way to absorb it, which leads to town streets and homes filling with water. Scientists also now [music] believe that global warming is increasing the risk of hurricanes and floods as these warmer temperatures have the potential to shift ocean current patterns. Floods can be very dangerous and [music] can arise very quickly, so it is best to be prepared and follow safety guidelines if you encounter one yourself.

[00:01:13]Is there a [music] STEM topic that you would like to see featured next? Let us know in the comments below.