# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under.

Get Started

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
online access fun thousands children great kids ebooks books

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Discover new children's books on Epic. With thousands of books and audiobooks there is no limit to what children can learn and explore.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
View the Droughts collection on Epic plus over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In January, an Arizona desert community found itself in a nightmare situation: The water was cut off.

Rio Verde Foothills is made up of about 2,000 homes. For years, many in the community have relied on water trucked in from the nearby city of Scottsdale, which gets its water from the Colorado River. But the river is drying up. Scottsdale says it has to save water for its own residents. Now some people in Rio Verde Foothills must fend for themselves.

ERIN SCHAFF-THE NEW YORK TIMES

The southwestern United States has experienced drought for more than 20 years. Water supplies are shrinking. Arizona has increasingly pumped water from underground, but that provides less than half of what the state needs. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of new residents arrive every year, and more communities like Rio Verde Foothills are built. One report shows that a large area near Phoenix doesn't have enough groundwater for all the homes-enough for 800,000 people-that developers want to build there.

Some experts say the solution is to water from outside of the state. One idea is to build a $5.5 billion desalination plant on Mexico's Sea of Cortez. The plant would remove salt from the water and pump that water to Arizona through a 200-mile pipeline. Supporters say this could provide a drought-proof supply for decades.

THE WASHINGTON POST/GETTY IMAGES

Critics see a different future. Imported water could cause environmental destruction. Margaret Wilder is a professor at the University of Arizona, in Tucson. She warns that big projects like this one could be used to justify "much more unsustainable unsustainable unable to be continued without doing permanent damage (adjective) Working 14 hours a day was unsustainable for Johnny. development in the desert in the future."

Tough Choices

ERIN SCHAFF-THE NEW YORK TIMES

Environmentalists say the desalination project would harm the planet in several ways. Some of the salt taken out of the Sea of Cortez might end up back in the ocean, harming wildlife. The pipeline would damage land where people and animals live. And the desalination process uses lots of energy. This would create greenhouse gases, the very gases that are causing the conditions that have led to Arizona's water problems.

Desalinating water would likely come at great cost to Arizonans. Cities pay about $50 to $150 for 326,000 gallons. That's enough for a family of three in Phoenix for a year. Desalinated water could cost 20 times as much.

ERIN SCHAFF-THE NEW YORK TIMES

Environmentalists say the government should focus on cutting water demand rather than increasing supply. That would mean promoting water-saving measures and limiting how many homes are built.

As more water problems like the one in Rio Verde Foothills crop up, Wilder says she's hopeful that Arizonans will understand the risks of never-ending expansion into the desert. "We need to start asking questions when people present us with these unproblematic, carefree solutions to the water problem."

WILD HORIZONS/UNIVERSAL IMAGES GROUP/GETTY IMAGES

People in Tucson, Arizona, have found a solution to the city's water shortage: rainwater. Thousands of households are collecting it and using it for cooking, for drinking, and in their gardens. Government leaders have taken notice.

The city now requires publicly built roads to capture stormwater. Tucson also helps residents pay for equipment that captures rainwater for home use. -By Brian S. McGrath

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In January, an Arizona desert community found itself in a nightmare situation: The water was cut off. Rio Verde Foothills is made up of about 2,000 homes. For years, many in the community have relied on water trucked in from...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
For the past four years, California has had the worst drought in its history. A rise in temperatures and a decline in rainfall have endangered several species of native fish. Lakes have dried up, crops have withered, and once-green lawns have turned brown.

As a result of the statewide water shortage, California residents have had to limit the amount of water that they can use. "Water is like the new oil around here," said Brandon Woo, a Math teacher at Foothill Middle School in Walnut Creek, California.

What has caused the drought? Scientists say that a combination of factors are to blame, including steadily rising temperatures because of climate change, a decrease in rainfall, and an increased demand for water as the state's population grows.
WHAT ABOUT THE ANIMALS?
The drought has not just affected people and land, but also wildlife. "The dry lands are causing more parasites [ticks, lice, and flies] to attack wildlife," said Alison Hermance, Communications Manager of WildCare Bay Area, an organization that helps protect local wildlife. "Almost all wild animals, including mammals and even birds, are being affected. The parasites not only annoy the animals tremendously, but they also cause a deterioration in their health."

Wildlife hospitals in the Bay Area of California have seen a significant increase on the number of animals affected by dehydration. Hermance's organization recommends that residents leave water in their yard for animals.

Wildlife experts are also seeing an increase in the number of animals being killed by rat poison. As rodents in distress invade an increasing number of homes, more people, who are unaware of the consequences, are putting out poison. Hawks, owls, and other animals may become sickened by eating a poisoned rodent, so WildCare strongly advices against the use of rat poison.
HELP FROM EL NINO
In January, just days after California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency to further limit water consumption, a miracle happened. El Niño, a rare climate shift that causes a change in temperature and rainfall, led to huge rain and snow storms-and a replenishment of the state's water supply.

But experts caution that people must continue to preserve water. "Even if the drought ends, we still have to watch our water consumption carefully, because it's limited," said Lynn Cassidy, the librarian at Foothill Middle School.

Kids can change their habits faster than grown-ups. Although we still need to shower, for example, we can decrease the number of water balloons we throw.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
For the past four years, California has had the worst drought in its history. A rise in temperatures and a decline in rainfall have endangered several species of native fish. Lakes have dried up, crops have withered, and once-green lawns have turned brown.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Rain is pouring hard and fast-more than eight inches in just an hour, turning river water brown with mud. Earthworms wiggle up to the ground as the soil becomes too wet for them. A flood might be coming.

Just about any place on Earth can experience flooding. When so much rain falls that the ground can't absorb it or waterways can't hold it, the overflowing water becomes a destructive force. In the United States, flooding causes more death and damage than tornadoes, hurricanes, or lightning.

How floods develop

During a rainstorm, precipitation-or the water that comes from rain or snow-goes to different places. Some of it flows into streams, lakes, or city water systems. Other precipitation evaporates and returns to the atmosphere.

But much of the rainwater is absorbed by soil. It flows through the top layer of the ground, to plant roots below the surface. This helps provides plants with the water and nutrients they need to grow. The excess water moves deeper into the ground through layers of dirt and rocks where until it becomes part of natural underground wells called groundwater.

A habitat can naturally absorb a healthy amount of rainfall it needs to thrive. But too much rain can cause lake and river levels to rise and overflow their banks, or the soil to become too wet to absorb more water. And though you might think extremely dry habitats would welcome too much rain, it turns out that the parched dirt can't absorb the rain fast enough to capture it all.

Severe coastal storms, quickly melting ice and snow, and collapsed barriers (like concrete dams) can also cause floods. Even damaged beaver dams can lead to an overflow of water that the surrounding earth can't absorb.

Different types of floods

Floods can form slowly over several days or overwhelm an area with little warning. How quickly a flood forms often depends on the habitat.

Slow-forming river flooding happens in regions called floodplains. These are large, flat areas of land along waterways with very shallow banks. When big storms hit, the water overflows the banks and spreads out across the plains.

This type of flooding isn't always bad. It brings nutrients to the surrounding soil, making it fertile for growing crops. That's why many people live in or near floodplains.

But too much water can destroy crops and damage homes. Rushing water can disrupt ecosystems by moving aquatic plants and animals to other habitats. And if flooding is so severe that it flows into local water treatment facilities, experts must monitor the incoming water to make sure the water is safe.

Another type of flooding is called a flash flood, when a flood happens within six hours of a heavy rainfall-as much as eight inches an hour. With no place to go, the moving water will tear through highways, valleys, and canyons, washing away vehicles, roads, bridges, and houses.

Quickly melting ice and snow can also cause flash flooding, especially when mountain snowmelt overflows the waterways below. On coastlines, hurricane rains cause water levels to rise, and the high winds push that water onto land. Called a storm surge, this also causes flash flooding.

Flooding in the future

Scientists believe that warming temperatures caused by climate change are increasing the risk of floods all over the world, especially in coastal and low-lying areas.

Warmer water changes the patterns of ocean currents, which changes global weather patterns. This means that some places will receive more rainfall than the ground can absorb. Other places will get less rain so the land will be drier-and unable to handle rainfall when it does occur.

Scientists think that climate change could also cause stronger hurricanes, with more rain and higher winds causing bigger storm surges. A warmer climate could also mean more snowmelt overwhelming the soil; melting polar ice could cause sea levels to rise and increase flooding. ( Find out how you can help slow climate change.)

How to survive a flood

Experts might issue a flash flood watch if weather conditions are right. It doesn't mean flooding will happen but that meteorologists want people to be prepared. When experts are sure a flash flood is on the way, they issue a warning so people can evacuate immediately. Here's how to keep you and your family safe.

Before a flood
* Know your neighborhood. Research how close you are to streams, drainage channels, canyons, and any other low-lying areas that might flood.
* Keep emergency contact phone numbers in one place so you can get in touch with family members.
* Put together an evacuation plan and share it with everyone in your household. Know what paths and routes you can use to quickly get to a high, dry place.
* Conduct flood drills to practice evacuating quickly.
* Maintain an emergency kit with a three-day supply of food and water. Experts recommend canned or dried foods that don't need to be cooked, and at least one gallon of water per day for each person and pet.

During a flood
* Never wait for orders to leave; if you think a flood might be coming, evacuate immediately.
* If flooding hasn't started, move important items to upper floors of your house.
* If flooding has already started where you are, move to the highest place you can find, like a roof of a house or car. Bring as much food, water, and sheltering blankets as possible.
* Never walk through flood water, especially if it's moving. Hazardous chemicals, sewage, and even wild animals are often in floodwater, and just six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
* If you must walk through water to escape, walk where the water is still. Never touch electrical equipment if you are standing in water, or even if you're wet.
* If water is quickly rising while you're in your car, leave your vehicle and move to higher ground, like a hill or bridge.

After a flood
* If you've evacuated your house, return only after you're given the all-clear from officials.
* If you stayed put, check your house for damage to electrical systems and appliances. Get rid of any food that might be contaminated from floodwater (or because it's been unrefrigerated for awhile).
* Check your home for wild animals, especially snakes. They can get washed into your home with the floodwater.
* Ask an adult before you use water to brush your teeth, make food, or even wash your hands. Flooding can contaminate water and make you sick.
Learn more about floods at National Geographic.
Flood safety tips from the Nat Geo Kids book Extreme Weather by Thomas Kostigen

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about what causes flooding, different types of floods-and how to stay safe.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What causes flooding? - National Geographic Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Causes of floods: Why is it that some places flood and some don’t? Well, turns out its all in the geography. Post Boxing Day floods, one school decided to investigate

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Flooding is when a lot of water overflows onto land that is normally dry. It is the most common natural-weather event. Flooding can happen during heavy rains, when rivers overflow, when ocean waves come on the shore, when snow melts too fast, or when dams or levees break. Flooding may be only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. Floods that happen very quickly are called flash floods. Floods can cause power outages, disrupt transportation, damage buildings, and create landslides.

Words to Know

Am I at Risk?

What Can I Do?

Before

During

After

Learn More

Did you know?

Flooding can wash out walkways, roads, and fields, making them impossible to detect under flood water. Do not walk or ride in a car through water. It might be deeper than you think! A foot of water can sweep a vehicle off the road. Stay away from moving water!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Words to Know Am I at Risk? What Can I Do? Learn More

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why Do Floods Happen? | Weather Science | SciShow Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Drought - The Dr. Binocs Show | Best Learning Videos For Kids | Peekaboo Kidz