Toronto, a province in Canada, has suffered heavy rains this summer. While the rain is good for plant growth and preventing wildfires, the heavy rainfall presents other issues, such as severe flooding. This year, the flooding was so severe that it was dangerous to drive, and over 167,000 people were without power.
Show this video to your students [0:31].
Toronto reels from floods and power cuts after severe storms
While Toronto does typically receive summer rains, they aren’t usually so heavy or destructive. However, most people who live in heavily rainy areas learn to recognize the signs that tell them something big is coming and that they should stay out of harm’s way.
- What do you think are some signs of that the flooding could become dangerous and cause someone to be swept away or drown? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
Share the following information from the National Severe Storms Laboratory with your students.
“You may notice a stream starting to rise quickly and become muddy. Sometimes flood debris temporarily blocks the water flow upstream. When it breaks free the debris may release a “wall of water” downstream. You may hear a roaring sound upstream as a flood wave moves rapidly toward you. People are often caught off guard because rain may not be heavy or falling at all where they are.”
- In an instance such as the flooding we saw earlier, what signs would have told you that it was time to go? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
While floods can come on suddenly, as in the case of flash floods, there are often warning signs when conditions are becoming dangerous. Signs that something is going to happen—good or bad—are given for our benefit. They make us sit up and take notice and respond when it is necessary. Let’s see how God gave mankind a “heads up” to something He was going to do.
