In an era in which natural disasters grace our television and movie screens, it is important to remember that the most dangerous does not fall under the category of erupting volcano, or giant meteor strike, but rather the flood. As far back as Biblical times, floods have destroyed lives, and communities, and continue to be the most common weather related disasters this date. When it comes to floods, flash floods are the most dangerous. Local and national weather stations are in place to aid the community in recognizing rising threats associated with flash floods, issuing flash flood watches, advisories, and warnings when danger is threatening, rising, and eminent. To fully utilize this system, it is important to understand the basic tenants of flash flooding, from recognizing where and when they may arise and what to do if you are caught in one.
To better understand how to protect yourself in the event of a flash flood, one must first understand what a flash flood is. A flash flood is the most dangerous of all floods because it comes quickly, and therefore is preceded by little or no warning. Flash floods appear in minutes, and just and quickly are racing across the land, as fast as a raging river. Heavy rain, slow moving thunderstorms continually circling around one area, and downpour associated with hurricanes and tropical storms are the most common causes of a flash floods. They may also arise in the rare event of a dam failure.
The most common places that flash floods occur are in streams, gullies, and dry creek beds, yet they are not limited strictly to these areas. The danger from these floods lies not only in their fast moving water, but also in what this water picks up along the way. The speed of the flash flood causes power, and that power uproots trees and bushes, carries rocks and boulders, demolishes bridges, and destroys buildings in its path. Flash floods often cause severe and extremely dangerous mud slides, as they loosen up top soil in their path.
To better inform and protect you in the event of a flash flood, your local news or weather station will issue a forewarning in three stages which proceed from least to most dangerous as follows:
1) Flash Flood Watch - be alert, as flash flooding could arise.
2) Flash Flood Advisory - small flooding is now occurring.
3) Flash Flood Warning - flash flood is eminent, take action!
If a flash flood warning is issued, you must act quickly. This means that flash floods are already occurring; it is no longer just a threat.
In the event of a flash flood warning, there are a number of steps you can take to insure survival. First and foremost, move to higher ground. Avoid streams, ditches, dry creek beds and gullies, as flash floods will most likely occur in these areas. If you come in contact with a flash flood, never attempt to cross it by foot, or in your car. As little as six inches of water can lift you from your feet, and the power of a car is no match for the power of a flash flood. If you do happen to hit flooding in your car and it stalls, leave it immediately. Your life is more important than your car.
