How Extensive Was the Flooding Along the Mississippi River in 2019?
In 2019, the Mississippi River experienced extensive flooding events along its length, with major problems experienced in several states including Washington, DC, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Arkansas. Although flooding is common in some areas along the Mississippi River, 2019 was particularly severe for many of the communities, resulting in major losses in property as well as significant economic impacts. In this article, we will review the facts and figures concerning this major event and explore how it affected people and businesses from the affected states.
Background Information
The flooding along the Mississippi River in 2019 began in early-March and lasted until the end of August. This period of flooding was caused by excessive precipitation in the Midwest and the Mississippi River Basin and was further exacerbated by the slow-moving and high river levels. The flooding caused $14.5 billion of economic damage in the eight states along its course, impacting agriculture, businesses, employees, and families. Additionally, 24 people were killed while hundreds were evacuated from their homes. In some cities such as St. Louis, Missouri, the river level rose over 6.5 feet.
Perspectives from Experts
In response to the flooding, experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released a report on the causes and impacts of the event. In their report, they stated that the flooding was not solely caused by the excessive rainfall, but also by climate change. The report noted that the intensified storms, extreme weather events, and warmer temperatures meant that the Mississippi River basin had to be able to accommodate higher levels of water, placing additional stress on its levee systems.
Additionally, the report stated that if similar flooding events are to be prevented in the future, people must work together to lessen the impacts of climate change and reduce its effects on the environment. The report also stated that preparatory steps must be taken to strengthen the levees of the Mississippi River basin and make them more resilient to flooding on an unprecedented scale.
Economic Impacts
The economic impacts of the 2019 flooding along the Mississippi River were far-reaching and had a huge impact on countless communities in the eight states. In Arkansas alone, the economic losses were estimated to be over $1.1 billion and thousands of jobs were lost. Some towns such as Gretna, Mississippi, suffered huge economic losses due to the impact of the flooding on their businesses.
Response of Affected Communities
In response to the flooding and its impacts, many of the affected communities came together to offer assistance and help to one another. Government agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided resources to assist those affected by the floods by providing temporary housing and aid. Additionally, many of the affected states also created relief funds in order to support affected communities and businesses.
How It Affects us Today
The flooding along the Mississippi River in 2019 had a devastating impact on many of the affected communities and their businesses. This event has had long lasting effects, not just in terms of economic loss, but also in terms of the changes in the environment, with the changes in the river levels impacting the surrounding ecosystems and wildlife. There is still a need for improved infrastructure and resilient practices to ensure that similar flooding events do not take place in the future.
Environmental Impacts
The flooding of the Mississippi River in 2019 had a wide-reaching impact on the surrounding environment. Whilst the sheer amount of water caused by the event had a massive effect, the slow-moving and high water levels also caused serious erosion of the banks of the river. This affected the entire habitat, from the aquatic life, to local wildlife species, resulting in significant disruption to the local ecology.
The flooding further caused an influx of sediment and agricultural runoffs into the river, further compromising the water quality and affecting aquatic life in the area. The long-term environmental impact of this event is yet to be assessed, however the potential threat is clear and concerning.
Lack of Regulation
In addition to the impact of the flooding on the environment, the event also highlighted the lack of regulation and control on the Mississippi River. The event occurred due to excessive precipitation, but the lack of control on agricultural runoff and industrial activity further exacerbated the situation. Furthermore, with many of the communities along the river highly populated, the lack of effective infrastructure meant that these towns were unable to adequately prepare for flooding.
Lack of appropriate regulations has been highlighted as a key issue for a flood event of this magnitude to occur in the future. If appropriate steps are not taken to address this issue then similar events are likely to reoccur and the effects could be much more devastating.
Future Prevention
In order to prevent similar events of flooding in the future, it is essential that steps are taken to improve the infrastructure of the Mississippi River basin and limit agricultural runoffs entering the river. Additionally, climate change must be addressed in order that river levels do not rise above their capacity. Furthermore, appropriate regulations must be put in place to protect the environment and the communities along the river.
Although flooding is a natural occurrence, further research and investment in resilience measures is necessary in order to minimise the impacts of these events on communities along the Mississippi River. In this way, people and businesses can hopefully be better prepared for future floods and learn from the experiences of 2019.
People In Need Of Assistance
In the aftermath of the flooding, people from the affected communities were left with homes and businesses destroyed and significant financial losses. In response to this, a number of organisations were set up in order to provide assistance and relief to those affected by the event. These organisations provided food, shelter, medical assistance and financial support to those in need.
In addition to the government and non-profit initiatives, private organisations and individuals also donated money in order to support those who had been affected by the floods. This assistance was highly appreciated by the people in need and showed the generous and compassionate side of communities in times of crisis.
Conclusion and Moving Forward
The flooding of the Mississippi River in 2019 was one of the worst natural disasters in recent history. With 24 people killed and economic losses estimated to be over $14 billion, the impact of this event was huge and far reaching. The devastation caused by the event highlighted the need for improving the infrastructure of the Mississippi River and for taking action in the face of climate change.
Since 2019, a number of initiatives have been set up in order to provide relief to affected communities, as well as to protect and conserve the environment of the river. It is hoped that by continuing to take action, we can protect the communities along the Mississippi River from future flooding events.
