Questions 2.4

1. A flood is when water inundates land which is normally dry.
2. Flash flooding is when small river or streams are unable to cope with all the water all at once so they overflow and flood. Urban areas are not normally prepared for flooding or flash flooding, and so can suffer greatly.
3. Inland rivers- These are subject to flooding which often covers thousands of square km's and can be devastating for farmers and their crops. Coastal Rivers- These floods are short and fast flowing, and they generally only last for a couple of hours or days.
4. Houses could be destroyed. People could be killed. Produce could be washed away or destroyed.
5. Water had already filled the rivers and catchments around Katherine, so almost all the water overflowed and flooded Katherine.
6.  Economic- 500 Business's we're evacuated or destroyed. Environmental- Crops would have washed away. Social- 4 people died.
7. A) Inland Catchment- slight gradient  Coastal Catchment- steep gradient. B) Slight Gradient to Steep Gradient. C) The water would run towards the steeper gradient, because when it is flat there isn't anywhere to go.
8. Dams are normally used to control the amount of water in a river or catchment and can also supply water to an area. Dams influence inland river because they keep the water level under control, but if they overflow could also cause the river to overflow, causing a flood.
9. The flood came in faster than I could have imagined. I wasn't ready as it swept down the streets, quickly filling up the first floor with muddy water. I couldn't get to my car for it was underwater. I ran out onto my balcony and saw the town square flooded, with water gushing down the streets. It was sweeping down the street, washing cars and people away.