Floods: The Awesome Power
Floods: The Awesome Power
Floods: The Awesome Power
NOAA/PA 200467
FLOODS
THE AWESOME POWER
The impacts of floods vary locally. For each NWS river forecast location, flood
stage associated with each of the NWS flood severity categories are established in
cooperation with local public officials. Increasing river levels above flood stage
constitute minor, moderate, and major flooding. Impacts vary from one river
location to another because a certain river stage (height) above flood stage in one
location may have an entirely different impact than the same level above flood
stage at another location.
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BARRICADES ARE PUT UP FOR YOUR PROTECTION.
TURN AROUND AND GO ANOTHER WAY!
Flash Flood Risk in Your Car, Truck, or Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)
Almost half of all flash flood fatalities occur in vehicles. Contrary to popular belief,
many people don’t realize two feet of water on a bridge or highway can float most
vehicles. If the water is moving rapidly, the car, truck, or SUV can be swept off the
bridge and into the creek.
Water can erode the road bed, creating unsafe driving conditions. Underpasses can
fill rapidly with water, while the adjacent roadway remains clear. Driving into a flooded
underpass can quickly put you in five to six feet of water. Many flash floods occur
at night when flooded roads are difficult to see.
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FLOODS
THE AWESOME POWER
F l a s h F l o o d R i s k t o R e c re a t i o n ( C a m p i n g , H i k i n g , B o a t i n g , F i s h i n g )
Many people enjoy hiking, fishing, or camping along streams and rivers. Listen to
weather forecasts and keep away from streams if thunderstorms have happened
or have been predicted upstream from where you are. A creek only 6 inches deep
in mountainous areas can swell to a 10-foot deep raging river in less than an hour
if a thunderstorm inundates the area with intense rainfall.
When thunderstorms are in the area, stay alert for rapidly changing conditions.
You may notice the stream start to rise quickly and become muddy. You may hear
a roaring sound upstream that may be a flood wave moving rapidly toward you.
Head immediately for higher ground. Don’t be swept away by the rising water. There
are dangers associated with fast-moving water, but with common sense and some
preparation, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a safe day along a stream or river.
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LISTEN FOR ROARING SOUND UPSTREAM AS
FLOOD WATERS COULD BE HEADED YOUR WAY!
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FLOODS
THE AWESOME POWER
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FLOODS ARE LONG TERM
EVENTS AND MAY LAST
DAYS, WEEKS, OR LONGER!
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FLOODS
THE AWESOME POWER
Stay Informed
Listen to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather
Radio All Hazards, commercial radio, or television; or go to the Internet for the
latest flash flood and flood watches, warnings, and weather advisories at:
http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/nationalwarnings.html
For planning purposes, Flood Hazard Map information is only a click away
by going to the Federal Emergency Management Agency web page at:
http://www.fema.gov/mit/tsd
T h e A d v a n c e d H y d ro l o g i c P re d i c t i o n S e r v i c e ( A H P S )
AHPS of the National Weather Service provides improved river and flood forecasting
and water information. AHPS has a suite of graphical Internet products to assist
community leaders and emergency managers in making better life- and cost-savings
decisions about evacuating people and moving property before a flood occurs.
According to the National Hydrologic Warning Council report, “Use and Benefits
of the National Weather Service River and Flood Forecasts,” AHPS, once fully
implemented throughout the United States, will provide more than $750 million
in economic benefits each year.
Additional AHPS information can be obtained at:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/water/Ahps.shtml
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Use NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards!
NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is the best way to receive warnings from the
National Weather Service. NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is a nationwide network
of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information direct from a nearby
National Weather Service office.
NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards broadcasts National Weather Service warnings,
watches, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day. The average
reception range is a 40-mile radius from the transmitter, depending on topography.
Be aware of the potential for flooding before the heavy rainfall begins by listening
to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards.
Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards that has a battery back-up, a Specific
Area Message Encoder (SAME) feature, which automatically alerts you when a
Watch or Warning is issued for your county or parish, and one that can receive all
seven NOAA Weather Radio frequencies.
NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards can also broadcast post-event information for
all types of hazards – both natural (earthquakes, hurricanes and volcanos) and
environmental (chemical or oil spills).
The NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards network has more than 650 transmitters,
covering the 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories. NOAA Weather Radio requires a special
radio receiver or scanner capable of receiving the signal. Broadcasts are found
in the public service band at these seven frequencies (MHz): 162.400, 162.425,
162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 162.525, 162.550 (also known as channels 1 through 7).
NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards requires a special radio receiver or scanner
capable of picking up the signal. These receivers can be purchased at retail
electronic and sporting good stores.
1 162.400
2 162.425
3 162.450
4 162.475
5 162.500
6 162.525
7 162.550
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FLOODS
THE AWESOME POWER
Wh a t M y C o m m u ni t y C a n D o
• Provide river and rainfall readings to emergency managers and the
National Weather Service.
• Establish early warning procedures.
• Create and operate a Local Flood Warning System to identify areas
vulnerable to flooding.
• Produce and follow the flood emergency plans.
Contact your local emergency management agency or local National
Weather Service office for further information on Local Flood Warning
Systems, or visit:
www.nws.noaa.gov/oh/docs/alfws-handbook
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NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECASTERS
RELY ON A NETWORK OF ALMOST 10,000
STREAMGAGES TO MONITOR THE HEIGHT OF
RIVERS AND STREAMS ACROSS THE NATION
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FLOODS
THE AWESOME POWER
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DURING A FLOOD WARNING,
DON’T DRIVE
WHENEVER POSSIBLE!
Myth or Fact
MYTH FACT
A 100-year flood occurs only The 100-year flood is a climactic
once every 100 years. average; there is a 1% chance
that a 100-year flood will occur
in any given year.
MYTH FACT
Flash floods mainly occur in Flash floods occur in all 50 states,
the eastern United States. including Alaska and Hawaii.
MYTH FACT
Flash floods occur only Flash floods can occur in dry
along flowing streams. arroyos and urban areas where
no streams are present.
MYTH FACT
Flash floods occur mainly in the Many flash floods occur at night.
late afternoon and evening.
MYTH FACT
Homeowners insurance Unfortunately, many homeowners
policies cover flooding. do not find out until it is too late that
their policies do not cover flooding.
Contact your insurance company
or agent to buy flood insurance.
MYTH FACT
You can’t buy flood insurance if You are still eligible to purchase
your property has been flooded. flood insurance after your home,
apartment, or business has been
flooded, provided your community
is participating in the National
Flood Insurance Program.
MYTH FACT
Larger vehicles, such as SUVs Two feet of rushing water can carry
and pickups, are safe to drive away most vehicles including SUVs
through flood waters. and pickups.
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FLOODS
THE AWESOME POWER
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FLOODS
THE AWESOME POWER
• Have your family learn basic safety skills such as CPR/Automated • Keep a smaller emergency kit with seasonal supplies, tools,
External Defibrillator (AED) and first aid; how to use a fire extin- and clothes in the trunk of your car.
guisher; and how and when to turn off water, gas, and electrici- • Each person who has a cell phone should carry it and keep
ty at the main switches and valves. Know how to operate a it turned on to receive calls in any emergency situation.
NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards.
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ARC 4493
NOAA/PA 200467