Are There More Floods Now?

With every year that passes, it seems that we are never far away from a natural disaster. But are floods (of which there are many different types) becoming more widespread and common? Or have we always experienced a similar level of flooding?

Humans are not helping the situation

The answer is an enigmatic yes and no. On the one hand, we are seeing more floods due to changes in the way we live and behave. Overdevelopment is a case in point - the more buildings, car parks and roads we build, the harder it is for the ground to absorb water. Why? Because the soil is covered with concrete, asphalt and other non-absorbent materials - meaning rainwater sits above the ground and causes flooding as a result.

Another human activity that is increasing the likelihood of flooding is deforestation. As we chop down the rainforests and destroy woodlands - whether for farmland, paper, or any other commercial endeavours - the ground finds it harder and harder to absorb water. As a result, flooding is more widespread. 

We are now more informed about flooding

On the other hand, this sense of more floods could be down to the media. We only know about flooding if it is featured on the television, in the newspaper, on social networks or blogs. That is, unless we experience it first hand.

Social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook are capable of spreading news within a matter of hours or even minutes. During the latest bout of flooding in the UK, people readily uploaded first-hand pictures of destruction - striking images that made it into our newsfeeds and even onto the television screens. In this digital age, we are all reporters.

The sense of ‘more flooding’ could also be down to an increase in population. If an area is sparse and remote, we are unlikely to hear about any flooding in that locale, because communities are not directly affected. But as towns and cities grow, there are more people to actually experience the effects of flooding, ranging from mild inconvenience to serious and costly damage.

The impact of climate change

The issue of climate change always fires up an interesting debate, especially when linked to flooding. While most scientists agree that global warming will cause more extreme weather events, the jury is out on the likelihood of more floods in future. In general, the consensus is that they will simply increase in severity.

However, according to a study by the Met Office and the University of Newcastle, climate change will cause more summertime flash floods, due to the intensity of rainfall. As with all weather events, it is difficult to predict the future with absolute certainty. But one thing is for sure - we will continue to experience floods, and the best thing we can do is be prepared.

In the UK, there is a national move away from flood defence to flood risk management and enabling communities to take reasonable responsibility to protect their homes, work places, businesses and communities.  You can read about these new innovations is this article: Predicting and Mitigating the Risk of Floods.