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Using the Energy of Water
T
he water cycle moves water all over Earth. Energy from
the Sun evaporates water and lifts it high in the air. The water
condenses into clouds. Wind moves clouds all over Earth.
Eventually the water falls from the clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
A lot of water falls high in the mountains. Water is matter. We
know what happens to matter on a slope. The force of gravity moves
it downhill. When water runs into something, it applies a force.
Moving water has the force to push things around.
During very heavy rainstorms, rivers and streams can flood and
overflow their banks. The force of the flood water can wash away rocks
and soil, destroy roads, and carry away cars and houses. The faster
water flows, the more force it has, and the more damage it can do.
Hurricanes
are strong storms that produce extremely high winds.
When hurricanes come on land, they can cause a storm surge. A storm
surge is a huge wall of water that washes onshore. On August 29, 2005,
Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans with a huge surge. The force of the
surge plus the flow of the Mississippi River broke through the levees
protecting the city. The resulting flood caused huge devastation. More
than 1,800 people died, and the estimated cost of the damage was
more than $100 billion.
The flood following Hurricane Katrina
did massive damage.
A flood following heavy rain
washes out a road.
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