You’re riding in a car, and the road ahead of you is covered with water — what should the driver do? You’ve crossed a stream to find that spot for the perfect picnic, but now that you’re ready to head home, the stream is deeper and the water is flowing faster than it was before — what should you do? The answer to these questions is “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” Whether you’re in a car or on foot, never try to cross a flooded area or walk through swiftly moving water.
Did you know that flooding can occur anywhere in the United States during any time of the year? The most common cause of flooding is rain. Sometimes floods are caused by summertime thunderstorms that produce a lot of rain in a short period of time. Other times, persistent rain and/or melting snow over several days can lead to flooding because the ground can’t absorb all of the water. Once the soil has become saturated, the rest of the rainwater will run off and into creeks, streams and eventually rivers. If the creeks, streams and rivers can’t hold all the runoff, the excess water not only floods these waterways, but also runs across roads, low-lying areas and sometimes backyards.
If you’re outside, remember that it can take less than six inches of swiftly moving water to knock you off your feet. Even though six inches of water may not seem that deep, if you fall down, it will be nearly impossible to stand up again.
Just a few inches of water can cause a car to stall and strand the passengers, possibly in the middle of a moving stream of water. While a few inches of water may not be able to move the car, it’s enough to make it dangerous for the people inside the car to get out and try to get to dry land. Instead of getting out of the car, call for help!
Water may look fun to play in, but swiftly moving water is very dangerous. Whenever you see heavy rain, remember that rivers and streams can rise rapidly, and that dangerous streams can form in normally dry areas. Stay away from any rapidly moving water. You can keep yourself and your friends and family safe by reminding them to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!” whenever you’re near a flooded area or swiftly moving water.
To keep everyone safe, the National Weather Service issues Flood Watches and Warnings to alert people to flooding. A Watch means that there is a possibility of flooding in your area; a Warning means that flooding is occurring or is about to occur. If you hear a Flood Watch or Flood Warning, be aware of the flood dangers, and make sure that you are in a safe location.
More information on these hazards and on flood safety is available on the National Weather Service Flood Safety website (www.floodsafety.noaa.gov).
