Great Mississippi River Flood
Ms. Knippenberg's Class
What is a Flood? What causes a Flood?
A flood is a large, overflowing amount of water beyond its natural limits. Floods are mostly caused by heavy, unnatural rainfall that occurs where there is to much water and it can not be held.
Where do Floods occur? Can Floods be prevented? How?
Floods mostly occur in River Floodplains and Coastal Areas because they are susceptible to flooding. Floods can be prevented by sea defense walls, dams and reservoirs.
What can you do in your own home to prepare? How can we prevent people from dying?
Turn Around, Don’t Drown! ®, Avoid walking or driving through flood waters, Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away, If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground. Flash floods are the #1 cause of weather-related deaths in the US, If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water, Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.
When did the Great Mississippi River Flood Occur and Where?
The Great Mississippi River Flood occurred in 1927, In Mississippi.
Facts
It was one of the worst natural disasters to occur in American History. Different residential places were submerged in 30ft of water. While white women and children were hauled to safety, African Americans gathered in relief camps also were forced to participate in relief efforts, while receiving inferior provisions for themselves, and to clean up flooded areas.
What was the cause? What were the damages from the flood?
The flood began with extremely heavy rains in the central basin of the Mississippi in the summer of 1926. By September, the Mississippi's tributaries in Kansas and Iowa were swollen to capacity. The flood brought about long-term social and political changes in the country. Over time, African Americans largely switched their loyalty from the historically antislavery Republican Party (the party of Pres. Calvin Coolidge, in office during the disaster) to the Democratic Party. In addition, the disaster contributed to the Great Migration of African Americans from the South to cities in the North. The flood also found its place in folklore, music, literature, and films.
What was the death toll?
Around 250 people died during the Great Mississippi