BASIC ABOUT FLASH FLOODS |
#1 |
1) What is a flash flood? |
A rapid rise in stream or river levels in a very short time, often with no warning |
#2 |
2) What weather conditions produce most flash floods? |
Slowly-moving heavy thunderstorms |
#3 |
3) What are some other conditions that can create flash floods? |
Heavy rains from tropical storms or hurricanes, bursting dams or ice jams |
#4 |
4) About how many flash flood fatalities are vehicle-related? |
Nearly half |
#5 |
5) What is a "Mesoscale Convection System"? |
A series of thunderstorms that result from cool downdrafts spreading out along the ground, bumping against warm, moist air, and forcing it upward to begin a new thunderstorm. |
FLASH FLOOD DANGERS |
#1 |
6) How many flash floods occur in the US on average each year? |
More than 125 |
#2 |
7) How does the number of flash flood deaths compare with other weather-related deaths? |
There are about 125 flash flood deaths each year on average, compared with 73 lightning deaths, 68 tornado deaths, and 16 hurricane deaths |
#3 |
8) How many inches of moving water can knock you off your feet? |
About 6 inches |
#4 |
9) How many inches of moving water can float a car or truck? |
About 6 - 24 inches |
#5 |
10) What landscape conditions are especially vulnerable to flash flooding? |
Narrow water channels, many streams, steep slopes, and saturated ground. |
FLASH FLOOD SAFETY RULES |
#1 |
11) Where can you find weather information and warnings 24/7? |
NOAA Weather Radio |
#2 |
12) What should you do if you come to a flooded road? |
"Turn around, don't drown!” |
#3 |
13) What should you do if water surrounds your car but is not moving? |
Abandon the car and go quickly to higher ground. |
#4 |
14) What should you do if the flood is moving your car? |
Stay in the car and do not step out into flowing water. |
#5 |
15) What should you do if you don't have training to respond to an emergency? |
Call 911 and other systems to request trained rescuers come to your position. Keep calm and provide all needed information to get them to you. |
MONITORING FLOOD DANGERS |
#1 |
16) What weather technology is most useful to help forecasters know when and where flash floods might occur? |
Doppler Weather Radar |
#2 |
17) What is the difference between a "flash flood watch" and a "flash flood warning"? |
A "watch" means "Stay alert and keep listening to local news reports!" and a "warning" means "Take Action Now!" |
#3 |
18) What makes flash floods so difficult to forecast far in advance? |
It is hard to predict exactly where rain will fall, how much, and what will happen when it reaches the ground. |
#4 |
19) What, in addition to weather radars, are some systems used to detect the potential for flash flooding? |
Rainfall gages, lightning detectors, and aircraft |
#5 |
20) What should you listen and look for if you're outside in a potential flood zone? |
Listen for distant thunder, watch for rising water. |
PROTECTING AGAINST FLOODS |
#1 |
21) What should you do if you are in an area where a flood warning is issued? |
Get to higher ground as soon as possible. If possible, bring an emergency supply kit. |
#2 |
22) What are some basic items that should be in your disaster emergency kit? |
Water, food, battery-operated radio, flashlight with extra batteries, first aid kit, whistle, etc. |
#3 |
23) How can you find out if your area is in a flood-prone location? |
View a FEMA Flood Map https://msc.fema.gov/portal |
#4 |
27) What can you do to help prepare your community before a flood occurs? |
Participate in developing action plans through programs such as the FEMA "America's Preparathon" http://www.community.fema.gov/take-action/activities |
#5 |
25) What are some engineering methods that can be used to reduce flood damage? |
Levees, diversion spillways, and wetlands restoration |