As global temperatures rise and weather patterns shift, the risk of flooding is growing in many regions. Warmer air holds more moisture, leading to heavier, more frequent rainfall, while changes in snowmelt, sea levels, and weather patterns are altering how and where floods occur.

Floods impact more than human communities. They can carry sediment, pollutants, sewage, and agricultural or industrial runoff, which can degrade water quality and harm aquatic ecosystems. Floodwaters can also erode soil and vegetation, destroy habitats, and displace wildlife, creating long-lasting ecological damage.

Flood preparedness matters for both people and nature. While individual preparedness is important, working together as a community can significantly reduce mortality rates, property damage, and environmental degradation. Effective community preparedness involves proactive planning, restoring and protecting natural buffers such as wetlands and floodplains, designing adaptive infrastructure like permeable surfaces and resilient drainage systems (also called SUDS for Sustainable Drainage Systems, which include gray water systems, French drains, bioswales, and more), and investing in early warning systems and community resilience. These measures help reduce harm to humans, animals, and plants alike.

Individual preparedness is also increasingly important due to intensified flood risk. To learn more about how you can prepare yourself and your family for a flood, visit the “Action” link below.