Stuff You Should Know Selects: How Floods Work
9 snips
Sep 16, 2023 Floods occur when an area can't handle excess water, but the cascading effects are far more complex. Personal stories reveal the haunting memories tied to submerged landmarks. The discussion connects the water cycle, severe weather, and historical tragedies like the Johnstown flood. Urban land types reveal varying flood vulnerabilities, while health risks, including water contamination, pose serious threats post-flood. Community efforts in disaster relief and conservation highlight the intertwined fates of people and nature, wrapped in a mix of humor and advocacy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Josh's Childhood Flood Experience
- Josh Clark recalls childhood basement floods in Toledo, Ohio, caused by the Maumee River overflowing.
- This experience sparked a lifelong fascination with and fear of submerged objects.
Albany Flood and Caskets
- Chuck Bryant recounts the 1994 flood in Albany, Georgia, where caskets floated out of cemeteries.
- This event, involving around 400 caskets, became the second-worst cemetery disaster in U.S. history.
Earth's Water Balance
- Earth's total water volume remains relatively constant due to a balance between atmospheric loss and volcanic replenishment.
- Volcanoes release substantial water vapor, offsetting daily losses from solar radiation.