Floods and Flooding
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Floods and Flooding
by Boats Tue May 19, 2009 7:22 pm
Floods and Flooding
During recent years, floods and flash floods have caused billions of dollars in damage each year. They are among the most common and widespread of all natural hazards.
Even more importantly, they're the number one weather-related killer. A flood can happen anywhere along the Mississippi, in New England, even in the desert.
Some fascinating facts about floods and flash flooding:
A Flood (commonly called river flood) is a high flow or overflow of water from a river or similar body of water, occurring over a period of time too long to be considered a flash flood.
Flooding is caused in a variety of ways. Winter or spring rains, coupled with melting snows, can fill river basins too quickly. Torrential rains from decaying hurricanes or other tropical systems can also produce river flooding. The Mississippi River Flood of 1993 was caused by repeated heavy rain from thunderstorms over a period of weeks.
Flash Floods are quick-rising floods usually occurring as the result of heavy rains over a short period of time, often only several hours or even less.
They can also be caused by ice jams on rivers in conjunction with a winter or spring thaw, or occasionally even a dam break. The constant influx of water finally causes a treacherous overflow to begin, powerful enough to sweep vehicles away, roll boulders into roadways, uproot trees, level buildings, and drag bridges off their piers. Most frightening is the rapidity with which the water rises.
Coastal Flooding occurs when strong onshore winds push water from an ocean, bay or inlet onto land. This can take the form of storm surges associated with tropical storms and hurricanes, or can be associated with non-tropical storms such as "nor'easters."
Do you live or work in a flood plain?
Check the incidence of flooding in your area by contacting an expert source. Check the business listing of your white pages.
For current conditions, watch for check the most recent precipitation forecast from your local TV station.
Do you know what a Flash Flood or Flood Watch or Warning means?
Anticipating a Flood
Anticipating a potential flood is possible; keep a close eye on the signs.
Flooding Indicators
Unusually hard rain over several hours or steady substantial rain over several days
Rains in conjunction with a spring thaw
A hurricane or other tropical system is affecting your area (wind is not the only potentially dangerous aspect)
Flash Flooding Indicator
Water rising rapidly in streams and rivers
Any of these signs should prompt you to get an up-to-the-minute report on flood conditions. Your local TV station, or The Weather Channel should provide accurate and timely storm updates for your area through maps and severe weather information.
How Will You Be Warned?
Four key alerts relate specifically to flood conditions:
Flood Watch - High flow or overflow of water from a river is possible in the given time period. It can also apply to heavy runoff or drainage of water into low-lying areas. These watches are generally issued for flooding that is expected to occur at least 6 hours after heavy rains have ended.
Flood Warning - Flooding conditions are actually occurring or are imminent in the warning area.
Flash Flood Watch - Flash flooding is possible in or close to the watch area. Flash Flood Watches are generally issued for flooding that is expected to occur within 6 hours after heavy rains have ended.
Flash Flood Warning - Flash flooding is actually occurring or imminent in the warning area. It can be issued as a result of torrential rains, a dam failure, or ice jam.
Consult your local TV station or NOAA Weather Radio for accurate and timely storm updates.
Be Informed
Determine your flood insurance eligibility now.
Damage caused by floods and high wind peril are often not covered in regular homeowners insurance.
Find out more from:
Your insurance agent
National Insurance Consumer Helpline (1-800-942-4242)
The Insurance Information Institute (1-800-331-9146)
Learn how your town handles emergencies by contacting your local Emergency Management Agency (EMA)
Be Prepared
Develop a Family Preparedness Plan that includes the following:
Decide where to go if at home, school, work, outdoors, or in a car when a flood warning is issued. Update these plans every school year, and as places of employment and residence change.
Your Family Emergency Supplies Kit. These contents can be assembled over a five-month period on a weekly basis, and all perishable items should be changed or replaced every six months.
Prepare Your Home
Stockpile emergency building materials.
Be realistic about the use of sand bags. It takes one person an hour to fill and properly place 50 bags, but it may take as many as 1,000 sand bags to create a strong wall only three feet high and 20 feet long.
Make home improvements to reduce loss. Consider installing check valves in your plumbing to prevent flood water back-up and moving your appliances to higher ground to prevent costly replacements
Immediately before “The Flood”
Outside
Bring in any outdoor items that might cause damage or be lost if flooded. You do not want to go into flood waters to retrieve them.
If you are not at home, go to high ground and wait.
Inside
Scrub bathtubs and sinks with bleach, then rinse and fill them and any extra bottles with clean water for sanitary use in case the water supply becomes contaminated.
Use this time to move your valuable possessions to the highest levels of the house or to the safest area.
If instructed by authorities to evacuate, turn off water and electricity at the main valve or switch.
During recent years, floods and flash floods have caused billions of dollars in damage each year. They are among the most common and widespread of all natural hazards.
Even more importantly, they're the number one weather-related killer. A flood can happen anywhere along the Mississippi, in New England, even in the desert.
Some fascinating facts about floods and flash flooding:
A Flood (commonly called river flood) is a high flow or overflow of water from a river or similar body of water, occurring over a period of time too long to be considered a flash flood.
Flooding is caused in a variety of ways. Winter or spring rains, coupled with melting snows, can fill river basins too quickly. Torrential rains from decaying hurricanes or other tropical systems can also produce river flooding. The Mississippi River Flood of 1993 was caused by repeated heavy rain from thunderstorms over a period of weeks.
Flash Floods are quick-rising floods usually occurring as the result of heavy rains over a short period of time, often only several hours or even less.
They can also be caused by ice jams on rivers in conjunction with a winter or spring thaw, or occasionally even a dam break. The constant influx of water finally causes a treacherous overflow to begin, powerful enough to sweep vehicles away, roll boulders into roadways, uproot trees, level buildings, and drag bridges off their piers. Most frightening is the rapidity with which the water rises.
Coastal Flooding occurs when strong onshore winds push water from an ocean, bay or inlet onto land. This can take the form of storm surges associated with tropical storms and hurricanes, or can be associated with non-tropical storms such as "nor'easters."
Do you live or work in a flood plain?
Check the incidence of flooding in your area by contacting an expert source. Check the business listing of your white pages.
For current conditions, watch for check the most recent precipitation forecast from your local TV station.
Do you know what a Flash Flood or Flood Watch or Warning means?
Anticipating a Flood
Anticipating a potential flood is possible; keep a close eye on the signs.
Flooding Indicators
Unusually hard rain over several hours or steady substantial rain over several days
Rains in conjunction with a spring thaw
A hurricane or other tropical system is affecting your area (wind is not the only potentially dangerous aspect)
Flash Flooding Indicator
Water rising rapidly in streams and rivers
Any of these signs should prompt you to get an up-to-the-minute report on flood conditions. Your local TV station, or The Weather Channel should provide accurate and timely storm updates for your area through maps and severe weather information.
How Will You Be Warned?
Four key alerts relate specifically to flood conditions:
Flood Watch - High flow or overflow of water from a river is possible in the given time period. It can also apply to heavy runoff or drainage of water into low-lying areas. These watches are generally issued for flooding that is expected to occur at least 6 hours after heavy rains have ended.
Flood Warning - Flooding conditions are actually occurring or are imminent in the warning area.
Flash Flood Watch - Flash flooding is possible in or close to the watch area. Flash Flood Watches are generally issued for flooding that is expected to occur within 6 hours after heavy rains have ended.
Flash Flood Warning - Flash flooding is actually occurring or imminent in the warning area. It can be issued as a result of torrential rains, a dam failure, or ice jam.
Consult your local TV station or NOAA Weather Radio for accurate and timely storm updates.
Be Informed
Determine your flood insurance eligibility now.
Damage caused by floods and high wind peril are often not covered in regular homeowners insurance.
Find out more from:
Your insurance agent
National Insurance Consumer Helpline (1-800-942-4242)
The Insurance Information Institute (1-800-331-9146)
Learn how your town handles emergencies by contacting your local Emergency Management Agency (EMA)
Be Prepared
Develop a Family Preparedness Plan that includes the following:
Decide where to go if at home, school, work, outdoors, or in a car when a flood warning is issued. Update these plans every school year, and as places of employment and residence change.
Your Family Emergency Supplies Kit. These contents can be assembled over a five-month period on a weekly basis, and all perishable items should be changed or replaced every six months.
Prepare Your Home
Stockpile emergency building materials.
Be realistic about the use of sand bags. It takes one person an hour to fill and properly place 50 bags, but it may take as many as 1,000 sand bags to create a strong wall only three feet high and 20 feet long.
Make home improvements to reduce loss. Consider installing check valves in your plumbing to prevent flood water back-up and moving your appliances to higher ground to prevent costly replacements
Immediately before “The Flood”
Outside
Bring in any outdoor items that might cause damage or be lost if flooded. You do not want to go into flood waters to retrieve them.
If you are not at home, go to high ground and wait.
Inside
Scrub bathtubs and sinks with bleach, then rinse and fill them and any extra bottles with clean water for sanitary use in case the water supply becomes contaminated.
Use this time to move your valuable possessions to the highest levels of the house or to the safest area.
If instructed by authorities to evacuate, turn off water and electricity at the main valve or switch.
Boats- Posts : 22
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Join date : 2009-05-07
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