LPAS

Floodplains always flood.  Sometimes this flooding occurs regularly over short periods of time and sometimes it occurs very rarely over periods of hundreds of years, but floodplains always flood.  Currently large numbers of people live in flood prone areas and many businesses and industries line the banks of streams.  For this discussion topic, I want you to think about some of the examples of major floods that have occurred in your lifetime (Google this if you can't think of any) and then answer the following questions:

· Should people live in floodplains and other flood prone zones (e.g., flood prone areas along the coast)?  What are the risks involved with living in these areas and should tax dollars go to help victims of floods get back on their feet?

In your responses to your classmates use your knowledge of flood prevention and adjustment strategies to discuss when living in floodplains may be safe and when it should be avoided. 

Be sure to cite empirical evidence derived from your textbook and the other materials in this course when stating your case.  Back up each of your opinions with sound reasons derived from the scientific literature.