Floods, Loss, and the Little We Can Do

My heart ached when I came across an Instagram account just a few days ago. The user is a guy who posts about current natural disasters happening. My question? What made Mother Nature so angry? But maybe I don’t even have to ask that question. Who else, if not us humans, with all our ways that are harming Mother Earth?

But being serious, the only natural disaster I have ever experienced is flooding—and not even the kind happening in Mokwa, Nigeria, right now. A flood so intense it has killed up to 300 people and left over 400 still missing. I always send my prayers to those experiencing these extreme disasters. It isn’t just about the loss of life either—people are losing their properties and the little they have to these disasters.

The last flood I experienced was due to nonstop, intense rainfall for days. Although the flooding and our parlor filling up with water seemed so sudden, we actually saw it coming from the other houses on lower land, which already had water gushing through their windows. Once the water started seeping through the door, we moved everything in the parlor to higher and safer spots.

To be honest, I don’t know how to prepare for or survive any natural disaster because, compared to many I have seen, I have never truly been a victim. So I don’t have survival tips from personal experience. But with the little I know about floods, I can still share some small tips:

The number one thing to do is stay informed—by any means possible—so you know what is happening.
Don’t try walking in floodwater, especially when it is deep. Even shallow water I have walked in has tried knocking me off my feet.
Turn off electricity and gas, as these can cause devastating accidents.
Waterproofs come in handy to protect your valuables.
Know your surroundings—understand evacuation routes and move to higher ground immediately if necessary.
Lastly, have an emergency kit that contains drinking water and non-perishable food.

In my country one major thing we need to prevent and stop flooding is to upgrade our water drainage systems and landscaping.

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Posted Using INLEO

Once a flowing water knocks you off your feet, it's difficult to stand and it will keep pushing you, I support you advise not to walk in flowing water.

That's like the worse thing that can happen because it would never give you the chance to get back on your feet.

Thank you very much for the recommendations. I have experienced floods and I had not realized that despite the way I experience them, the recommendations you give us are important. Evacuation routes are important, but here there are no routes for that, but given the way things are going, it will be necessary to create one.

!HUESO
!PIZZA

Yes evacuation routes are very important. Thank you for reading and I am glad I could be helpful in any little way

PIZZA!

$PIZZA slices delivered:
@misticogama_(2/5) tipped @zain-ab001

_{Come get MOONed!}

That was indeed a terrible experience for you. It's hard to prepare well for natural disasters they just come

Natural disasters are indeed a terrible experience

The people that have houses in places prone to flood, I don't know how they survive in evacuating their houses and returning when flood is out. That routine is what I can't just comprehend. So if I have money, I can't build houses in my village because it's being affected by flood always?

I think of this a lot and feel for people passing through this lifestyle regularly

I can't even imagine what they are passing through. I once saw a family's mud house melt to the ground because of flood

Natural disasters can be so devasting, seeing that number of death weak my spirit honestly. May their souls rest in peace.

I have not also experienced any natural disaster personally, but I have seen people affected by it and the sight wasn't good at all

It's very heart breaking

Many people have lost their properties, Loved ones and others to the natural disasters... It can be so unreal until it happens to you or someone close to you... It have caused a lot of heart breaks to people...

When I see victims of these natural disasters I pray for them because I can't imagine how they feel

It is a horrible experience