FIG F-1: Copyright The Government of Manitoba.   Canada is no stranger to flooding. Two of the largest floods in recent memory are the Saguenay Flood of 1996 and the Red River Flood of 1997.   The Saguenay River was the first disaster in Canada to cause $1 billion in damage, leaving homes, businesses, and infrastructure destoyed and much of the landscape changed forever. The flood caused 12,000 people to leave their homes and left 10 dead.   The Red River Flood caused the river to rise 12 metres above its normal winter levels, resulting in massive flooding and destruction. Military forces, along with thousands of volunteers, came into the area to help the disaster stricken area.   Historically, floods have been the most damaging natural hazard to strike the earth. What causes floods to occur, and how can their effects be mitigated? Click on the links to the left to begin your exploration of the power of floods.