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