Get documents about "FLASH FLOODS
Document Sample
B A C K G R O U N D E R
FLOODS AND FLASH WHAT IS
A FLOOD?
FLOODS Floods are the most common
and widespread of all natural
EMERGENCY INFORMATION disasters – except fire. Most
1. Flood waters can be extremely dangerous. The force of six inches of communities in the United
swiftly moving water can easily knock people off their feet and carry States can experience some
them away. The best protection during a flood is to leave the area and kind of flooding after spring
go to shelter on higher ground.
rains, heavy thunderstorms, or
2. Flash flood waters move at very fast speeds and can roll boulders, tear spring thaws. Floods can be
out trees, destroy buildings, and obliterate bridges. Walls of water can
slow- or fast-rising, but
reach heights of 10 to 20 feet and generally are accompanied by trees,
rocks, and other debris. The best response to any signs of flash generally develop over a
flooding is to move immediately and quickly to higher ground. period of days.
3. Cars can easily be swept away in just two feet of moving water. If Dam failures are poten-
flood waters rise around a car, it should be abandoned. Passengers tially the worst flash flood
should climb immediately to higher ground. events. A dam failure is
DANGER ZONES usually the result of neglect,
poor design, or structural
damage caused by a major
event such as an earthquake.
When a dam fails, a gigantic
quantity of water is suddenly
let loose downstream, destroy-
ing anything in its path.
WHAT IS
A FLASH FLOOD?
According to the National
Weather Service, flash flooding
is a rapid rise in water levels
associated with heavy rainfall
Floods and flash floods occur within all 50 states. Communities particu- or the failure of a dam or ice
larly at risk are those located in low-lying areas, near water, or down- jam.
stream from a dam.
The United States supports international efforts to raise awareness that natural risks can be managed: Federal Emergency Management Agency, American Red Cross,
National Weather Service, U. S. Geological Survey, Department of Energy, Corporation for National Service, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Small Business
Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Transportation, Department of Education, and the National Interagency Fire Center.
HELP YOUR COMMUNITY GET READY HOW THE PUBLIC CAN
The media can raise awareness about floods and flash floods by HELP AFTER A DISASTER
providing important information to the community. Here are some
suggestions: When disaster strikes, people
1. Publish a special section in your local everywhere want to help those
newspaper with emergency information on in need. To ensure that this
floods and flash floods. Localize the compassion and generosity
information by describing recent or past are put to good use, the media
floods in your area and printing the phone can highlight these facts:
numbers of local emergency services
offices, the American Red Cross, and the • Financial aid is an
nearest hospitals. immediate need of disaster
victims. Financial
2. Interview local officials about land use contributions should be made
management and building codes in floodplains. through a recognized
voluntary organization to help
3. Work with the National Weather Service, local ensure that contributions are
emergency services and American Red put to their intended use.
Cross officials to find out what you can do • Before donating food or
before a flood or flash flood occurs. clothing, wait for instructions
from local officials.
4. Periodically inform your community of Immediately after a disaster,
local public warning systems. relief workers usually don’t
have the time or facilities to
set up distribution channels,
DID YOU KNOW... and too often these items go to
waste.
• Individuals and business • Seventy-five percent of • Volunteers should go
owners can protect themselves presidential disaster through a recognized
from flood losses by declarations result from natural voluntary agency such as the
purchasing flood insurance phenomena in which flooding American Red Cross or the
through the National Flood was a major component. Salvation Army. They know
Insurance Program. what is needed and are
Homeowners policies do not • On July 31, 1976, the Big prepared to deal with the need.
cover flood damage. Thompson River near Denver Local emergency services
Information is available overflowed after an extremely officials also coordinate
through local insurance agents heavy storm. A wall of water volunteer efforts for helping in
and emergency offices. 19 feet high roared down the a disaster.
Big Thompson Canyon, where
• Flooding has caused the deaths many people were camping.
of more than 10,000 people One hundred forty people
since 1900. Property damage perished and millions of
from flooding now totals over dollars worth of property was
$3.5 billion each year in the lost.
United States.
• More than 2,200 lives were
lost as a result of the
Johnstown, Pennsylvania,
flood of 1889. This flood was
caused by an upstream dam
failure.
