A whole variety of floodings are happening worldwide today. Most of them appear a total surprise and, therefore, a devastating disaster for regular dwellers and scientists, and emergency services. That is why the importance of flash flood warnings is growing, and every citizen must know where to get the necessary information and how to interpret it.
Why do floods become more dangerous?
Floods happen due to several factors:
- Slow-moving or frontal cyclones caused by changing temperatures;
- Inland moving tropical cyclones;
- Heavy rainfall
The main danger of those events is that they easily cause the so-called flash floods, floods that can turn a seemingly peaceful low-land water body like a lake or a small river into a raging water stream.
Since all low-land water bodies are connected with each other with a complicated system of streams and creeks, which may seem insignificant, you may live next to a flooding hazard your whole life and never understand the danger until a cyclon turns it into a destructive disaster.
Sometimes it may be hard to distinguish between different flash flood watches and warnings, interpret the information and take action on time.
Let`s go over various warnings you may get when the disaster approaches to work out a clear and efficient action plan.
What are flash flood watches?
A Flash flood watch is technically similar to a tornado watch. It is issued to inform residents, emergency services, local authorities, and all cooperating organizations, including volunteers, that developing the weather pattern can probably lead to a flash flood.
Flash floods (or rapid floods) are the most dangerous because they are considered the most unpredictable. That is why although flash flood watch does not give the exact time and even probability of the upcoming flood, once you receive it, you should start taking action, installing your flood barriers, moving to a safer place, and make sure that all family members and most valuable properties are organized and arranged according to your flood action plan.
Flash flood watches are also issued if there is a threat of dam break, which may be even more destructive. That is why once you live in the area potentially affected by such an event, you should take action immediately.
What are flash flood warnings?
Flash flood warning indicates that the flood is about to occur in the next several hours. It is usually issued after at least a 6-hour heavy rainfall or when a local river or stream`s level goes above their designated flood line.
In other words, if a flash flood watch tells you that there is a strong possibility that a flood can happen in your area, a flash flood warning tells you that it is definitely going to happen in the next several hours. Therefore you should start taking action or evacuate immediately.
Once you live in an area prone to such events, it is always better to have a flood protection device like a flood barrier in your garage. Not only highly efficient even against the most intense water stream, but it also takes only several minutes to install. In other words, a flood barrier can guarantee your safety even when all other measures like sandbagging or dam-building appear irrelevant.
Areal Flooding Warnings and Flas Flood warnings - what is the difference?
Many people get confused between these two types of flood warnings and the actions they are supposed to take after receiving them.
In fact, Areal flooding and flash flooding are two different events which, although they can happen in the same region, require different preparations and actions.
- Areal flooding - this type of flooding is more graduate. It happens after a prolonged rainfall that may not be particularly intense. However, uninterrupted for several hours or even days, it can eventually lead to overflow of local lakes, rivers, and their connection through local streams and greeks, turning into a massive flood. Although areal flood technically gives you more time to prepare for the disaster, it does not mean that they are less destructive or dangerous. In fact, damage from such floods often occurs much higher as people tend to neglect areal flood warnings;
- Flash flooding - this type of flooding usually happens within 6 hours due to heavy rainfall, dam break, or other intense fast-moving events. Flash flood warnings leave you not more than several hours to protect your family and property from the disaster.
Are flood warnings and flood advisories the same?
Sometimes, people confuse flash flood warnings and flood advisories, which are pretty common in low-lying areas.
Unlike a flood warning, flood advisories are issued to warn people that specific areas and especially roads can get flooded due to heavy rainfall or any other event, especially roads can get flooded, causing certain dangers to those on the road.
Such warnings usually don't imply that the upcoming flooding will cause any severe damage to the infrastructure or property. However, there is a certain level of danger, especially for drivers. Flooded roads and low visibility are the most common reason for pretty severe accidents in such areas.
Also, if such advisories are being issued regularly in your area, and your property is located in a low-land district, those floods can cause certain danger to the underground structure of your building, leading to foundation cracks, development of mold, etc.
In this case, you must protect your basement or garage with a flood gate - the only anti0-flooding solution that can easily be installed and adjusted for any door and passage without having to make any serious preparations or changing the building`s structure.
They are easy to install and take off and therefore won`t affect the exterior and architectural integrity of your house. At the same time, they seal all passages, preventing the water from getting anywhere close to your basement, garage, electricity boxes, home appliance, etc.
Contact Dam Easy today and learn about flood carriers and other innovative solutions against all sorts of floods.
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