Extreme weather dominates news bulletins around the world. From tsunamis to superstorms, floods to wild fires, natural disasters affect people globally on a daily basis. Floods, and their deadly consequences, have hit the headlines over the past decade as countries around the world have been affected by serious flooding. But why are these occurrences becoming more frequent, and more severe? And what happens to the affected communities after disaster has struck? Planet in Peril: Fierce Floods answers these questions and many more, including when and why flooding occurs, and how technology is helping people to prepare for it. The book looks at three of these natural disasters from recent years in detail: the Bangladesh floods of 2012, Mississippi flooding in the USA in 2011 and the flash floods in Russia in 2012. Comprehensive case studies cover when and where the floods struck, the immediate impact of the disaster, the flood damage, the long-term effects, the global aid efforts and the rebuilding and regeneration of affected communities. Eyewitness panels give firsthand accounts of the disaster from flood victims, emergency service personnel, aid workers and scientists working to combat the effects of natural disasters. Infographic elements display statistics about each flood in a clear, concise and visual way. Learn about the preparations made for floods: what protective mechanisms and flood warning systems are in place, the emergency drills people must learn, and how communities are evacuated in the event of a disaster. Find out about the disaster recovery effort immediately after each event, how aid reaches affected areas, and where it comes from. See how communities fare in the immediate aftermath, how they cope with damage to infrastruc