Flash Flood Safety For the Road
Flash floods are the No. 1 weather-related killer in the United States, and they can happen within a few minutes or hours of heavy rainfall. To avoid catastrophe, stay informed and follow basic flood safety and flash flood driving precautions.
Flash Flooding Causes
Most flash flooding is caused by slow-moving thunderstorms (thunderstorms repeatedly moving over the same area), or heavy rains and ocean surges from hurricanes and tropical storms. Rainstorms in mountainous or desert areas can exceed the ground's ability to absorb it, resulting in flash flooding in canyons, gullies and low areas. Other possible causes include dam or levee failure, or a sudden release of water held back by an ice or debris jam.
Listen to warnings from local news outlets and the National Weather Service. Follow their directions and adjust travel plans accordingly.
- Flash Flood Warnings are issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood-prone area, move to high ground immediately.
- Flood Warnings are issued when the hazardous weather event and flooding is imminent or already happening.
- A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur, with possible flooding.
- A Flood Advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be extreme enough to issue a warning but may cause significant inconvenience or threaten life and/or property.
Don't Drive Through Floods
The average automobile can be swept off the road in 12 inches of moving water, and roads covered by water can collapse. If you see trouble ahead, take alternate routes that avoid low areas, river basins and canyons. If you're forced to drive during heavy rain, follow these precautions:
- Don't drive through flash flood watch areas at night
- Pay attention to barricades and don't drive around them
- Don't drive on flooded roads—turn around if necessary
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Disclaimer: This material is designed and intended for general information purposes only, and is not intended, nor shall be construed or relied upon, as specific legal advice.
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Usalama wa Mafuriko ya Flash Kwa Barabara Mafuriko ya Flash ni Hapana. Ni moja ya mauaji yanayohusiana na hali ya hewa nchini Marekani, na yanaweza kutokea ndani ya dakika chache au saa chache za mvua kubwa. Ili kuepuka msiba, endelea kuwa na habari na ufuate tahadhari za msingi za usalama wa mafuriko na kuendesha gari kwa mafuriko ya ghafula. Mafuriko ya ghafla yanatokana na dhoruba za umeme zinazozunguka eneo moja mara kwa mara, mvua kubwa na mawimbi ya bahari kutokana na vimbunga. Mvua nyingi katika maeneo ya milima au jangwa inaweza kuzidi uwezo wa ardhi kuichukua, na kusababisha mafuriko ya ghafla katika mabonde, mabonde na maeneo ya chini. Sababu nyingine zinazowezekana zinatia ndani kushindwa kwa bwawa au bwawa, au kutolewa ghafula kwa maji yaliyoshikiliwa na barafu au mabaki. Sikiliza onyo kutoka kwa vyombo vya habari vya mahali hapo na Huduma ya Kitaifa ya Hali ya Hewa. Fuata maagizo yao na ubadilishe mipango ya kusafiri ipasavyo. - Maonyo ya Mafuriko ya Ghafula hutolewa wakati mafuriko ya ghafula yanapokaribia au yanapotokea. Ikiwa uko katika eneo lenye uwezekano wa mafuriko, nenda mahali palipoinuka mara moja. - Maonyo ya mafuriko hutolewa wakati tukio hatari la hali ya hewa na mafuriko yanapokaribia au tayari yanatokea. - Mwangalizi wa Mafuriko hutolewa wakati hali ni nzuri kwa tukio maalum la hali ya hewa hatari kutokea, na mafuriko ya uwezekano. - Maonyo ya mafuriko hutolewa wakati mafuriko hayatarajiwa kuwa makubwa vya kutosha kutoa onyo lakini yanaweza kusababisha usumbufu mkubwa au kutishia maisha na au mali. """Usiendeshe gari kupitia mafuriko: Gari la kawaida linaweza kuondolewa barabarani katika maji ya inchi 12 ya kusonga, na barabara zilizofunikwa na maji zinaweza kuanguka." Ikiwa unaona matatizo mbele yako, chukua njia mbadala ambazo huepuka maeneo ya chini, mabwawa ya mito na mabonde. "Kama wewe ni kulazimishwa kuendesha gari wakati wa mvua kubwa, kufuata tahadhari hizi: ""Usiendesha gari kupitia flash mafuriko maeneo ya kuangalia usiku, makini na barricades na si kuendesha gari kuzunguka yao, usiwe na gari juu ya barabara zilizofurika, na kugeuka nyuma kama ni lazima, ofisi ya nyumbani: 717 Mulberry St. Des Moines, IA 504298 (800-4295) "" (www.emc.com) " Copyright: Employers Mutual Casualty Company, Inc. Haki zote zimehifadhiwa. 6140 - 1 - 15