Flood Safety Awareness Week

The National Weather Service has declared March 16th through the 20th as Flood Safety Awareness Week. The National Weather Service in Charleston will feature a different educational topic each day during the awareness week. The topic for today is turn around do not drown...TADD for short.

TADD is a National Weather Service campaign to warn people of the hazards of making of driving through flood waters. Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other severe weather-related hazard. The main reason is that people underestimate the power of water. More than half of all flood-related deaths result from vehicles being swept downstream. Of these deaths, more are preventable.

River Flood
Flooding of rivers is natural and inevitable. It's usually caused by heavy rain falling over a large area in a relatively short period of time. In this part of the country, the relative lack of terrain can make river flooding last for long periods of time, since it takes a long time for the water to make its way to the ocean.

Coastal Flood
Winds generated by tropical storms and hurricanes or intense offshore low pressure systems can push ocean water inland and cause significant flooding. Astronomical high tide cycles combined with either an offshore low pressure system and/or heavy rain can result in severe flooding of coastal cities. Escape routes can be cut off and blocked by high water.

Urban Flood
As land is converted from fields or woodlands to roads and parking lots, it loses its ability to absorb rainfall. Urbanization increases runoff 2 to 6 times over what would occur on natural terrain. When torrential rain occurs over urban areas, storm drains can quickly be overloaded by the runoff with water beginning to pond in low spots. Pretty soon, streets can become swift-moving rivers.

To avoid getting caught in a flood, follow these safety rules.
1. Stay away from areas subject to flooding if rain is falling. This generally includes dips, low spots, canyons, washes and underpasses.

2. Monitor NOAA all hazards radio or STORM TEAM 3 for vital weather-related information. This includes flood advisories, flash flood warnings, short-term forecasts, special weather statements and other bulletins. These will often indicate where heavy rain is falling or has occurred as well as areas that may be experiencing flooding.

3. If you encounter flooding, get to higher ground. Stay away from flooded areas, especially if the water is flowing fast. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams on foot or in a vehicle. Remember, moving water is much more powerful than it looks. Two feet of moving water can push a vehicle off the road while only six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. In addition, the road bed could be scoured out, and this greatly increases the water depth without you knowing.

4. Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly during threatening weather. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

5. Most importantly, if you are driving and encounter water of unknown depth, turn around and find an alternate route.