Except for heat related fatalities, more deaths occur from flooding than any other hazard. Why? Most people fail to realize the power of water. For example, six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock you off your feet. Most flash floods are caused by slow moving thunderstorms. These floods can develop within minutes or hours depending on the intensity and duration of the rain. Flash floods can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings and bridges. Rapidly rising water can reach heights of 30 feet or more.  HEAVY RAINS FLOOD ROADS QUICKLY SO DO NOT DRIVE INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD!!!

FACTS to KNOW:

FLOOD WATCH means flooding is possible within 12 to 36 hours

FLASH FLOOD WATCH means flash flooding is possible and could occur without warning

FLOOD WARNING means flooding is soon or soon will be occurring.  Evacuate immedicately if advised

FLASH FLOOD WARNING means flash flooding is occurring.  MOve to higher ground at once if you are at risk

A severe thunderstorm warning means there is significant danger for the warned area. Occasionally, severe thunderstorms can and do produce a tornado without warning. While not all severe thunderstorms produce tornadoes, they can produce serious straight line wind damage as severe as a tornado.  the National Weather Service defines a severe thunderstorm as having large hail of at least 1 inch, severe (storm-force) winds of 58 miles per hour or greater, 1 or more tornadoes (though this would result in a tornado warning), or any combination of the three.

Hurricane is a tropical cyclone in the Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, or eastern Pacific, which the maximum 1-minute sustained surface wind is 74 mph or greater.  The hurricane season extends from June 1 to November 30 with the peak season being mid August thru September.

You should prepare you and your family in advance for the possibly of any type of severe weather.  Click on any of the below links for more information.

Get a Game Plan

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American Red Cross