Some weather is dangerous. Heavy rain can cause floods. Strong winds in storms and hurricanes can blow down trees and damage roofs. Lightning can start fires. A long time with no rain, a drought, can dry up crops and rivers. Very hot weather can make people ill.
People cannot stop the weather, but they can design ways to reduce the damage. Flood barriers and raised houses keep water out. Strong roofs and storm shutters protect buildings from wind. Lightning rods carry electricity safely to the ground. Reservoirs store water for dry times. Forecasts give warnings so people can prepare. Engineers compare designs to find which works best and costs the least.
Worked example
A town by a river floods most winters. Suggest one design that could help.
- Floods happen when river water rises over the banks.
- A flood wall or barrier holds the water back.
Answer:So building a flood barrier along the river could help.
Key words
- hazard
- something that can cause harm
- flood
- water covering land that is normally dry
- drought
- a long time with too little rain
- design
- a planned solution to a problem
New questions every time.
NGSS-referenced: 3-ESS3-1