Heavy rain, volunteers and flood prevention

People have ways to reduce floods. A dam is a strong wall built across a river or canal. It holds water back, and once the rain has passed it releases the water bit by bit, so there is no sudden flood. A dam also changes how a river flows, with gains and losses for people and nature. Sandbags are strong bags filled with sand. People pile them in front of doors and along the edge of land. Flood water cannot easily soak through the pile and is steered around it. Canals are channels that carry water. In heavy rain, extra water can be sent along canals away from houses and streets, to the sea or to a safe place where it can soak into the ground. Keeping drains and canals free of rubbish lets the water flow. Many jobs help a community in a flood: engineers plan canals and drains, workers keep the drains clear, doctors and nurses care for people, police officers and firefighters help people reach safety, and volunteers help everyone. A good leader helps people work together. A good leader is calm, brave, responsible, caring and fair, and listens to others. A good leader is not bossy, selfish or unkind.