In 2011, the Mississippi River became flooded, subjecting the area to some of the worst flooding in recent American history. The flooding was caused mainly by the combination of two major climatic phenomena, a strong La Niña weather pattern that winter and a rapid melting of the snow pack in the northern hills. As a result, a series of heavy downpours in the spring of 2011 ensued, causing major flooding along the entire length of the Mississippi River.
The flooding of the Mississippi River created huge damage to infrastructure and population from St. Louis to the Gulf of Mexico, covering an area of 1.25 million square kilometers. The heavy rainfall in addition to the flood waters caused major destruction of land and crops, as well as halting of infrastructure and transportation for months. According to the Disaster Information Managemen Center, it is estimated that there were about 16,000 homes flooded, 3,038 evacuated and 1,577 destroyed.
The flooding was not limited to just the land and the environment. As a result of the flooding, there was a major disruption to the Mississippi’s ecosystem. The ecological consequences of the flooding included the displacement of thousands of animals and birds native to the river, and the destruction of vast areas of aquatic habitat.The amount of sediment and debris that were carried down the Mississippi caused a great deal of destruction to the water quality of the river and its tributaries. The flooding also caused huge environmental destruction to the wetlands.
The damage caused by the flooding was so severe that the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality declared a state of emergency and the federal government declared the Mississippi River a disaster area. As of 2012, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had also confirmed that tens of millions of dollars worth of damage occurred as a result of the flooding.
Experts have stated that floods of this magnitude can cause long-term impacts to the environment, human and animal populations, and the economy. The United States National Research Council estimates that natural disasters, such as the 2011 Mississippi River flood, cost the US economy approximately $520 billion each year. In addition to the financial damages, it is believed that thousands of lives were greatly affected by this flood.
Economic Consequences
The economic consequences of the Mississippi River flooding in 2011 are estimated to be between $6.7 billion to $8.6 billion. The largest economic loss was due to agricultural damage, estimated to be between $2.7 billion and $3.7 billion. In addition to agricultural losses, the losses from infrastructure and other damages are estimated to be between $450 million and $800 million.
The flooding of the Mississippi River had long-term implications for local economies. Many of the businesses and industries that had been operating along the Mississippi River have suffered long-term financial losses due to the flooding, and this has further exacerbated an already weak economic situation in the region.
In addition, the cost of emergency response, such as emergency services, relocation assistance, flood insurance and emergency relief funds, has been estimated to be $1.5 to $2.5 billion. The funds spent on these measures were primarily used to repair and replace damaged infrastructure and to provide short-term assistance to those affected by the flooding.
Environmental Consequences
The environmental impacts of the Mississippi River flooding were severe. The flooding caused major destruction of land and crops, as well as halting of infrastructure and transportation for months. The amount of sediment and debris that were carried down the Mississippi caused a great deal of destruction to the water quality of the river and its tributaries.
Some of the most significant impacts of the flooding were the displacement of thousands of animals and birds native to the river and the destruction of vast areas of aquatic habitat. The flooding also caused immense damage to the fragile wetlands in the region, destroying natural habitats and threatening endangered species.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that levels of harmful pollutants, such as mercury and lead, increased in the water as a result of the flooding. They also stated that the release of nutrients and pollutants from the flooding was likely to cause a further deterioration in the already compromised water quality in the region.
In addition to the impacts on water quality, it is believed that the flooding has had a long-term impact on the air quality in the region, as the flooding caused an increase in levels of particulate matter and other airborne pollutants.
Public Health Consequences
The flooding of the Mississippi River also had a direct impact on public health. It is estimated that approximately 640,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes due to the flooding. In addition, the population living in the region was exposed to hazardous levels of air pollution as a result of the flooding.
High levels of water contamination can lead to a range of diseases and illnesses, such as Gastroenteritis, Cholera, etc. In addition, it is believed that the flooding has increased the levels of vector-borne diseases, such as Malaria and Dengue fever, in the region.
The high levels of air pollution caused by the flooding also increased the instances of respiratory illnesses in the region. People living in the region were also likely to be exposed to an increased risk of heart and lung diseases due to the high levels of pollutants in the air.
Psychological Consequences
The psychological consequences of the Mississippi River flooding were significant. In addition to the physical damage, the flooding caused emotional distress and feelings of loss among those who had to leave their homes. The emotional distress caused by the flooding has been linked to an increased level of psychological stress, depression and anxiety in those affected.
The emotional distress caused by the flooding is also said to be linked to an increased risk of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). People living in the affected areas often reported feeling unable to cope with the trauma they experienced and the losses they suffered. It is believed that the psychological trauma caused by the flooding has caused long-term psychological damage in people living in the region.
The experience of extreme trauma such as a natural disaster can also leave people feeling helpless and unable to cope. In particular, older people living in the affected areas have been said to be particularly vulnerable to the psychological effects of the flooding due to the extensive losses they experienced.
Impact on Animal Habitats
The Mississippi River flooding had a significant impact on animal habitats in the region. The high levels of sediment and debris carried down the Mississippi caused immense destruction to the riverbanks and aquatic habitats in the region. This had a direct impact on the species that inhabit these areas, as their habitats were destroyed by the flooding.
In addition, the flooding caused the displacement of thousands of animals and birds native to the river, as they were unable to survive the high water levels and strong currents. This led to the loss of habitat for these species and the interruption of their migration patterns, leading to further disruption of the delicate ecosystem of the Mississippi River.
The destruction of habitats also had a direct impact on the local human population, as they were unable to use the rivers and wetlands for fishing and other water-related activities. The destruction of habitats also caused a substantial reduction in the number of fish and other aquatic species available for consumption by local fisheries.
Government action and Response
In response to the flooding of the Mississippi River in 2011, the US federal government declared the region a disaster area and allocated $1.5-2.5 billion for emergency relief. The US Army Corps of Engineers was responsible for the implementation of the emergency response measures in the region.
The US National Research Council estimates that natural disasters, such as the 2011 Mississippi River flood, cost the US economy approximately $520 billion each year. The US government has taken a number of steps to protect vulnerable areas of the Mississippi River from future flooding. These steps include the construction of strategic levees, channelization and a network of floodways.
In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency has created new regulations to protect the environment around the Mississippi River. These regulations include the implementation of more stringent wastewater treatment standards, the reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus discharges and the protection of sensitive habitats.
The government has also established programs to help restore the ecosystems and habitats of the Mississippi River after the flooding. These programs include the re-introduction of native species, the restoration of natural habitats and the rehabilitation of wetlands.
Final Thoughts
The flooding of the Mississippi River in 2011 had a devastating impact on the region. In addition to the physical destruction, the flooding caused long-term economic, environmental and psychological consequences for the local population. The damage caused by the flooding was so severe that the US government declared the region a disaster area and allocated millions of dollars for emergency relief.
The US government has also taken steps to protect vulnerable areas of the Mississippi River from future flooding. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency has implemented new regulations to protect the environment around the Mississippi River. These steps are necessary to reduce the risk of future flooding and to help restore the ecosystems and habitats of the Mississippi River after the flooding.
