Flood damage in the United States occurs when water overcomes the environment. Sometimes this happens with severe rains and storms, breaks in dams or any other "act of God". The cost of damage extends well beyond the actual water damage and can amount to a very large sum. It is estimated that the 1990s incurred over $50 million in direct flood damage. There are two different ways that flood waters can cause financial damage. The first is called direct flood damage. Any flood damage that is caused directly by water constitutes as this type of damage. Items of this nature include physical residence damage (including other property), temporary housing and the cost associated with actually fighting the flood. These are measurable and are easy to calculate exactly how much money is being spent. The other type is indirect flood damage which is other costs that are associated by the flood but are not directly measurable. Some of these are loss of profit to businesses, loss of tax revenue, environmental damage, and psychological traumatic experiences. While both direct and indirect damages are costs that are associated with the flood, the latter is harder to come up with an accurate amount. Flooding in an area also has health risks associated with the event, especially in some places where the sewer system is overfilled and runs up onto the land. In these instances, serious diseases have to be combated. Even if there are not sewer problems in an area, just the fact that there is standing water in a place, where there should typically be no water, is another health risk. Bacteria and mold can grow at enormous rates causing other infections. Mold can stay around in old houses that are damaged by flood waters even after clean up crews have been through the area. There are some areas that have been devastated by flood waters. These areas are not only affected by a few houses or a small neighborhood flooding, but rather, the entire city or town is submerged with water. In these instances, the flood damage has now extended to bringing down an entire community, causing loss of homes, loss of jobs, and separation of family members. Indeed, there are major damages that are associated with floods that encompass both the physical aspects of people and the emotional state they are in after the event. Disaster relief efforts come in many forms. Some people choose to donate money or offer their time. Either way, they are all trying to help those that are in greatest need in the time of a huge disaster. Flooding is an event that definitely warrants aid in this department. The Red Cross is a major contributor to helping those affected by the flood waters. There are some factors that determine whether or not an area is prone to flooding and these should be considered when choosing where to live. Some of the information available is the history of floods in a region, the amount of estimated rainfall, structural integrity of barriers and so on. If in doubt whether you live in one of these high risk areas, be sure to contact the local government to locate resources to get an accurate assessment of flood risk. If living in a flood prone area can not be avoided, insurance should be considered before the flood happens. This may be costly, but it is more expensive to relocate and replace valuables in the event of an actual flood. It is important to remember that flooding can occur in almost any region and nearly everyone is at risk for being affected by flood damage in one way or another. As a consumer, be informed about the region where you choose to live in and the risks associated with it. Keep a detailed log of valuables in your home in the event of a flood for insurance purposes. If you are living in a flood prone area, keep important documents in an airtight container. Floods come fast and without warning, make sure that you are prepared to reduce the amount of damage you may have.
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