What Does flood Mean
The first thing we are going to do to know the meaning of the term flood is to discover its etymological origin. In this case, we can state that it derives from Latin, exactly from “inundatio”, which is the result of the union of the following lexical components:
-The prefix “in-”, which means “inward”.
-The noun “unda”, which is synonymous with “wave”.
-The suffix “-cion”, which is used to indicate “action and effect”.
Flooding is the act and consequence of flooding : covering with water or other liquid.
The concept is often used when water covers an area that is usually dry . Floods can be caused by torrential rain, a river overflowing, an extraordinary rise in the tide or a tsunami , for example.
Flood, flood, alluvium, avalanche, flooding or overflow are some of the words that can work as a synonym for flood. On the contrary, among its antonyms we find terms such as drought, lack or scarcity.
Many times a flood is a catastrophe . The great floods cause numerous fatalities and enormous material damages, leaving thousands of people homeless due to the advance of the water.
To avoid floods, cities have various defense mechanisms according to the characteristics of the area. Drainage systems , reservoirs , dikes and barriers are some of the resources that help prevent a land from flooding.
Those who have to face a flood are established to take a series of measures in order to save their lives:
-They must cut off the electricity, water and all the supplies of the house in which they are.
-Fundamental is to evacuate the home. If you are outside, the ideal is to climb as high as possible in the house and if you are inside, access the highest part of it.
-If you are in a car, you have to try to turn around and go in the opposite direction to where the flooded area is. However, if that vehicle is stuck, the option will be to proceed to try to get out of it and stand in a high place.
-Also, do not go near light poles or cables while avoiding crossing riverbeds at all times.
In 2013 , to mention a recent historical event, the City of Buenos Aires , La Plata and other towns in the Province of Buenos Aires ( Argentina ) suffered a major flood. During three days, between April 1 and 3 , heavy rains were recorded that overwhelmed the drainage capacity of the cities . The water, in this way, covered the streets and entered numerous houses and buildings, leaving more than a hundred dead.
In a symbolic sense, the idea of flood is used to refer to an excessively or infrequently high level of something. A journalist can claim that after a power failure that affected thousands of users, a city's Consumer Defense Office received a “flood of claims” for damage to electrical appliances.