■ A flash flood occurs within a few hours (usually less than 6 hours) of heavy or excessive rainfall, a dam or levee failure, or the sudden release of water impounded by an ice jam.
■ A flood is the inundation of a normally dry area caused by abnormal high water flow. Floods develop more slowly than flash floods, normally greater than 6 hours.
■ Flash floods and floods are the #1 cause of deaths associated with thunderstorms, more than 90 fatalities each year.
■ More than half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. —TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN!
■ Many flash flood fatalities occur at night.
■ Six inches of fast-moving water can knock you off your feet.
■ Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickups.
Turn Around Don't Drown™ (TADD)
TADD is a NOAA National Weather Service campaign to warn people of the hazards of walking or driving a vehicle through flood waters.
Q: Why is Turn Around Don't Drown™ so important?
Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other severe weather related hazard. The main reason is people underestimate the force and power of water. More than half of all flood related deaths result from vehicles being swept downstream. Of these, many are preventable.
Q: What can I do to avoid getting caught is this situation?
Follow these safety rules:
Monitor the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, or your favorite news source for vital weather related information.
If flooding occurs, get to higher ground. Get out of areas subject to flooding. This includes dips, low spots, canyons, washes etc.
Avoid areas already flooded, especially if the water is flowing fast. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams. Turn Around Don't Drown
Road beds may be washed out under flood waters. NEVER drive through flooded roadways. Turn Around Don't Drown™
Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly during threatening conditions.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
All information obtained from the National Weather Servicehttp://www.weather.gov/floodsafety/tadd.shtml
