Floods (Waters That Swallow Cities)

Floods can strike with little warning, sweeping across roads, fields, and neighborhoods in minutes.

This high-interest nonfiction title helps readers understand how floods form, why they can be so dangerous, and how they reshape communities. Leveled text explains the water cycle, runoff, snowmelt, storm surges, and the ways rivers overflow during heavy rain. Readers learn how floods damage buildings, contaminate water supplies, and disrupt transportation and power systems.

The book also explores the science behind flood prediction. Weather satellites, soil sensors, and flood zone mapping help experts identify areas at risk and warn people before waters rise. Real world examples show how dams, levees, reservoirs, and sea walls are used to reduce flood damage—and how climate change may increase the risk of extreme flooding in the future.

With vivid visuals, bite-sized facts, and practical safety tips, this title helps middle grade students understand what to do during a flood and how communities recover afterward. Critical-thinking questions and glossary support vocabulary development and reading fluency, making this book ideal for classrooms, libraries, and independent reading.