Week 10- Extreme Weather

 


                                                            EXTREME WEATHER IN FRANCE

                                                                                            Jazmin Hernandez 




     Throughout time in France, floods have occurred a lot especially after a thunderstorm or heavy rainfall. After fierce thunderstorms, heaving rainfall and hail went across France, houses and buildings left without power/electricity depending on how effective the floods were. Roads and streets were flooded up and down the country, including in areas of Paris and the northern departments of Yvelines, Seine-Maritime, Eure and Eure-et-Loir. Police rescued drivers from trapped vehicles in Sonchamp, Yvelines. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said one person died in flood waters in Rouen. Across the country 15 people were injured in weather-related incidents, 2 of them seriously. Thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rains cause flooding mostly in Marne, Oise and Somme departments of Northern and Eastern France.  In Nice, on the French Riviera, almost a year's worth of rain fell over 12 hours. A number of people have been reported missing in both France and Italy, with several bodies already discovered. These are examples of how dangerous it is for the people living in France when flooding occurs rapidly. There are so many things that occur whenever a flood occurs, sometimes people dont have enough time to run for shelter, or seek a higher destination, or having no electricity, or having your home (etc.) flooded. and even deaths. Deaths normally occur when someone is driving in floodwater due to their ability to not move. I believe that communication is key and if you have a cellphone or any way of communicating and if you are unsure what to do when a flood occurs, call for help. The call can even save a life. Even after a flood occurs, check in on the people around you to help each other. A situation like this must be scary because we might be unsure on what to do. When a flood occurs, take care of yourself and others and make choices you think are smart. 


(According to the CDC):

During a Flood warning:

  • Gather emergency supplies, including non-perishable food and water. Store at least 1 gallon of water per day for each person and each pet. Store at least a 3-day supply.
  • Listen to your local radio or television station for updates.
  • Have vaccination records handy (or know the year of your last tetanus shot).
    • Store vaccination records in a waterproof container.
  • Bring in outdoor items (lawn furniture, grills, trash cans) or tie them down securely.
  • If it looks like you will need to evacuate, turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve.
  • Leave areas subject to flooding such as low spots, canyons, washes, etc.

After a flood occurs:

  • Don’t drive in or through flooded areas or standing water—cars or other vehicles won’t protect you from floodwaters. They can be swept away or may stall in moving water.
  • Do not drink flood water, or use it to wash dishes, brush teeth, or wash or prepare food. Drink clean, safe water
  • If you evacuated, return to your home only after local authorities have said it is safe to do so.
  • Listen for boil water advisories. Local authorities will let you know if your water is safe for drinking and bathing.
    • During a water advisory, use only bottled, boiled, or treated water for drinking, cooking, etc.
  • When in doubt, throw it out! Throw away any food and bottled water that comes or may have come into contact with floodwater.
  • Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Use generators at least 20 feet from any doors, windows, or vents. If you use a pressure washer, be sure to keep the engine outdoors and 20 feet from windows, doors, or vents as well. Never run your car or truck inside a garage that is attached to a house even with the garage door open.


https://www.efas.eu/en/news/storms-and-floods-france-may-early-june-2022

https://www.euronews.com/green/2021/09/15/watch-as-more-flooding-in-southern-france-shows-the-severity-of-climate-crisis

https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/flood-safety/index.html 

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