This preparedness guide explains flooding Flood Myth vs. Fact How Do I Keep Myself and My and flood safety and suggests lifesaving Myth: A 100-year flood only occurs every 100 years. actions YOU can take to protect yourself, Family Safe During a Flood? Fact: The 100-year flood is a climactic average; there is your family, your home or your business. Before a flood hits, you can view flood a 1% chance that a 100-year flood will occur in any given year. locations in real time at: Myth: Flash floods only occur along flowing streams. River Flood: This type of flood occurs when Flooding is the leading http://water.weather.gov/ahps/ Fact: Flash floods can occur in urban areas where no prolonged rainfall over several days causes a streams are present. river or stream to overflow and flood the area. cause of severe weather Before the flood reaches your area: Myth: Flash floods occur mainly in the late afternoon and * Know if floodwaters might affect your home and Flooding along rivers is a natural process. related deaths. evening. A normal river flood can last for over a related deaths. property. Know your elevation above flood stage. Fact: Many flash floods occur at night. * Evacuate immediately, if advised to do so. Bring week. Myth: Larger vehicles, such as SUVs and pickup trucks important documents with you. are safe to drive through flood waters. * Move to a safe area before access is cut off. Urban Flood: The construction of urban Fact: Two feet of water can carry away most areas increases water runoff by reducing the * Do not attempt to cross flowing water. Vehicles, including SUVs and pickup trucks. * Monitor a NOAA Weather radio. amount of ground able to absorb rainfall. Densely populated areas have a high risk During the flood: for flash/urban floods. * Avoid areas subject to flooding.

* Never drive through flooded roadways. Flash Flood: Flash floods occur when the * Do not drive around barricades, they are there ground becomes saturated with water that has for your protection. fallen too quickly to be absorbed by the ground. * If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately. They can also occur from a levee failure or * Never try to walk through or allow children to from a fast-rising river. play around flood water. Flooded Roadway Facts Urbanization increases runoff two to six times over what would occur on natural Nearly half of all people killed in floods are those who try terrain. driving through flooded areas. During times of urban flooding, streets can Once your vehicle is lifted off the road by high water, it become swift-moving rivers. The Centers for Disease Control report that can easily be pushed sideways. Most vehicles will then tend to roll over, trapping those inside. Flash floods can destroy buildings, down over half of all flood-related drownings occur trees and wash out roads. Significant when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood Water can erode the road bed, creating unsafe driving conditions. damage tends to occur in areas next to a water. The next highest percentage of flood- Underpasses can fill rapidly with water. Driving into a body of water or in a low-lying area. related deaths is due to walking into or near flooded underpass can quickly put you in five to six feet A flash flood is not something that takes flood waters. of water. days to happen, it’s a situation that can There is no guarantee that the road still exists under the develop quickly. It only takes 18 inches of water to carry away water, or that the roadbed hasn’t been undercut by the Flash floods can occur within a few minutes most vehicles, including SUVs and trucks. After the Flood: flood waters, just waiting for a little additional weight to or hours of excessive rainfall. * Do not visit disaster areas, your presence may make it collapse. If water is above your ankles it can sweep you Rapidly rising water can reach heights of 20 off your feet. It only takes 6 inches of hamper emergency operations. IF YOU CANNOT SEE THE BOTTOM OF THE feet or more. fast-moving flood water to knock over an * Throw out food that has come into contact with FLOODED SECTION, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS IT! adult. the floodwater and boil drinking water before us- ing it. * Stay out of buildings that remain in flood waters. Flooding causes more damage in * Do not handle live electrical equipment in wet the United States than any other areas. * If the power is out, use flashlights to examine severe weather- related event, an buildings. Flammables may be inside. average of $5 billion a year. * Report broken utilities to the correct authorities.

The NWS issues products to convey the Stay Informed! magnitude of observed or forecast flooding using Flood Safety flood severity categories. Know the terms used to View the latest flood outlook and describe flood threats: Awareness Week: subscribe for email alerts at

Warning Products: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/serfc/ Hydrologic Outlook: A flood event may develop. It The third week of March provides information to those who need consider- able lead time to prepare for the flood. “Get Ready!” NOAA Weather Radio Flood Watch: The expectation of a flood event has Operating since the 1970’s, NOAA Weather increased, but its occurrence, location, and timing Radio has been ―the voice of the National is still uncertain. It provides lead time so people Weather Service,‖ broadcasting weather can set their preparedness plans in motion. information 24 hours a day, every day. This ―All “Get Set!” Hazards‖ alert mechanism warns the public of Flood Warning: A flood event is occurring, immi- both weather-related and non weather-related For additional information on nent, or has a high probability of occurrence. dangers. floods and flood safety visit: “Go Take Action!” With a NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio, you can monitor current weather conditions as well Severity Categories: as forecasts for your local area. These radios http:// Minor Flooding: Minimal or no damage, but possi- also have an alert feature which will sound a bly public threat or inconvenience. loud alarm—followed by important weather www.floodsafety.noaa.gov/ Moderate Flooding: Some damage to structures information—whenever a watch or warning is and roads near streams. Some evacuations of issued. This particular feature has been people and transfer of property to higher elevations credited with saving countless lives. Newer are necessary. models have the capability to connect Major Flooding: Extensive damage to structures accessories such as strobe lights and pillow and roads. Significant evacuations of people and shakers to the radio. These devices, transfer of property to higher elevations. specifically designed for people with special needs, will activate whenever a warning is is- sued. NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radios can be purchased at most electronics stores, hardware

stores, retail stores, or online. Prices start at www.FloridaDisaster.org Monitor NOAA Weather Radio, or a favorite » around $30. Accessories such as strobe lights news source for weather – related information. and pillow shakers are sold separately. » If flooding occurs, get to higher ground and out of flood prone areas.

» Avoid areas that are already flooded, especially if the water is flowing fast.

Never drive through flooded roadways. » » Do not park your vehicle along rivers or steams, especially during dangerous conditions.