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Friday, March 11, 2011

Flash Flood Safety at Home


Flash Flood Safety at Home
Mar 28th, 2008 By Keli Tarp Category: Podcasts

Another home in West Virginia was torn apart by the flooding of the nearby Clear Fork Creek on July 14, 2001. Photo by Leif Skoogfors/ FEMA News Photo

It’s time yet again for another podcast of “That Weather Show,” brought to you by the NOAA Weather Partners in Norman, Oklahoma. I’m Rachel Forsyth.
When you hear the word ‘water’, you may think of swimming pools or weekends at the lake. You might even think of a long rainy day. But that seemingly harmless rain water can become so dangerous that it kills more people each year than tornadoes, hurricanes and lightning. We call this a flash flood.
A flash flood is not something that takes days to happen, like a regular flood. Instead, it’s a situation that can develop quickly.
In some cases, it may not even be raining where you live. However, if the rain has fallen upstream, that means it will be heading to your area soon.

This Garland, WV home was damaged by the flash flood of May 2, 2002. Bob McMillan/FEMA Photo
A Flash Flood Watch means that flash flooding is possible in or near the watch area. While a Flash Flood Warning means that flooding is occurring in the area or will be very soon.
If you live in a low-lying area or near a river, stream, or dam then you need to be prepared to evacuate quickly. If not, the rapidly rising flood waters could leave you trapped. The last place you want to be is on your roof, waiting for a boat or helicopter to take you to safety.
You can find out all types of hazardous weather conditions by listening to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards.
Thanks for listening to another podcast of That Weather Show brought to you by the NOAA Weather Partners in Norman, Oklahoma. I’m Rachel Forsyth.

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