Strange as it may sound, more people are killed by flash floods each year than by lightning or any other severe weather event. Flash floods can occur any time there is heavy rainfall in a short period of time, or when heavy rain falls on already soaked grounds and swollen streams.
Most people know if the area where they live is prone to flash floods. They usually know if they live in a low place, or on higher ground. However, when a flash flood warning is issued, when is it time to worry? Every situation is different, so a person will have to decide whether a warning constitutes a threat to his safety.
Those who live or work in low places, near drainage ditches, streams or rivers should be especially watchful. It is easy to tell when such a body of water is rising, and when the water is downstream from other bodies of water, it will rise even more rapidly. The local National Weather Service office issues flash flood watches and warnings when conditions warrant. However, just because a warning is issued for your county, it doesn’t mean the floodwaters are coming straight to your door. No, a warning means that flash flooding has been reported somewhere in that county. Most advisories will be very specific as to what roads are underwater, and will give alternate travel options.
If a person lives in a mountainous area, he will need to be alert for flash flooding and for mudslides. Mudslides on mountainsides occur most often when a heavy rain follows another, and the ground is thoroughly saturated.
Most of the time, a flash flood warning means people can still go about their daily routines. However, when a warning is issued to residents living in flood-prone areas, they need to monitor the situation. If the water starts rising even a bit, it’s probably time to leave. People should be careful about driving or walking through floodwaters. They can be swept away in the powerful current. The time to evacuate is before the situation becomes critical, which is why careful watch on the weather situation is necessary.
People should also listen to news and weather broadcasts to see where flooding is in their area. If it is flooding on ground above their elevation, they should be wary. Water seeks the lowest level, and chances are, they will be next.
Their preparations should begin early. They should store fresh or bottled water for drinking, and should gather non-perishable food items, in case they lose power. They should also have fresh batteries for their flashlights and should have fresh batteries in a radio, as well.
After the floodwaters go down, people should not eat anything that the floodwaters have touched, and they should call their Emergency Management Offices to find out if the water supply is considered safe.
When people use common sense and evacuate a flood-prone area before the waters rise to a critical level, they will be much safer from potential flooding. They should start to be concerned when they know they live in a flood-prone are and the warnings have been issued.
