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A flash flood is a sudden inundation of water in low-lying areas, usually brought on by heavy rain or a dam break. When the ground becomes so saturated with water that more cannot be absorbed, the overflow begins to rush downhill, sweeping away whatever is in its path.
The sudden nature of the flood makes it extremely dangerous.
Note: FLASH FLOODS ARE THE #1 CAUSE OF WEATHER-RELATED DEATHS IN THE US.
The only way to prepare for a flash flood is to be aware of the weather and pay attention when there is exceptionally heavy rainfall. Listen to weather reports for flood information. Weather forecasters may declare a flash flood watch when there is a possibility that rain will cause flooding. If some flooding has begun to occur, a flash flood advisory will be declared. When the flooding turns dangerous, a flash flood warning is declared. Flash flooding usually occurs around streams, gullies and ditches.
If a flash flood warning is issued in your area, you must react quickly:
If you are outdoors:
- Get to higher ground as quickly as possible
- Leave places likely to flood (e.g., canyons, ditches, dry stream beds) as quickly as possible
- Do NOT try to cross flood water; it is flowing more quickly than you think
If you are in a car:
- Turn around and drive away from the flood area. DO NOT try to drive through the flooding area. Roads under the water could be washed out. A car that stalls in just two feet of water can be washed away. Nearly one-half of all flash flood fatalities occur in the automobile.
- If your car stalls, exit the car immediately and get to higher ground
- Try to be sure that your car has a full fuel tank
If you are indoors:
- Move furniture and valuables to higher floors in your home
- Fill bathtubs, sinks and plastic bottles with clean water
- Bring outdoor furniture inside
- If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible
- Keep important documents, insurance policies and other valuables in a safe deposit box
It is always wise to have a family disaster plan with emergency phone numbers posted near your phone. Make sure each family member knows the address and phone number of two safe havens: a place outside the home and a place outside the neighborhood, in case you can't return to your home right away. Have an out-of-state contact person, in the event the family gets separated.
Keep a family disaster kit prepared, including:
- first aid kit, including prescription medications
- food and water for 3-7 days (don't forget a can opener!)
- clothing, including rain gear
- battery-operated radio and flashlights, plus extra batteries (
NOAA weather radios are best for receiving updates from the national weather service) - special items for babies, and elderly or special-needs members of your family
After the flood:
- Throw out any food that has come in contact with flood waters
- Boil drinking water before use. Have water tested for purity before drinking. If you're unsure about the water, call the public health authority.
- Do not visit disaster areas unless you are there to help
- Report broken utility lines to authorities
- Make sure that electrical equipment is dried before restarting service
In the US, the worst flash flood-related disaster occurred in Johnstown, PA, in 1889. After heavy rains, a dam broke and the city was flooded. Some 2,200 people died in the resulting flood.
In 1954, about 2,000 pilgrims were drowned in a flash flood in Teheran, after waters filled a normally dry gully. And in December 1999, La Nina brought extensive rains that triggered flash flooding in Venezuela. Thousands of homes were washed away, leaving some 150,000 homeless. The death toll was estimated at about 10,000.
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