[LeArc] Flood Safety

[Duane Whittingham]

2006 National flood safety awareness week... today/S topic is flood
safety...

We at the National Weather Service in the Quad Cities are observing
the second annual National flood safety awareness week. It runs from
March 20-24... 2006. Today is the final day.

Today/S topic is flood safety. Floods are the deadliest weather-
related killer in the United States. Each year... they kill more than
100 people and are responsible for $4.6 billion in damage.

In addition... more than half of all flood-related deaths are
drownings that result from vehicles caught in flood waters and then
swept downstream. Eighty percent of all flood deaths occur when
people drive into flooded roadways or simply walk through moving
water. Many of these drownings are preventable if people do not drive
or walk into flooded roads... sidewalks... etc. People often
underestimate the force of water.

If you know what to do before... during and after a flood you can
increase your chances of surviving a flood. We at the National
Weather Service cooperate with other government agencies and private
companies to inform you how to become aware of the flood risks in
your area and then react properly when a flood threatens you.

Please follow the following flood safety rules. They may help save
your life.

- If flooding occurs... move to higher ground immediately. Leave areas
subject to flooding. This includes dips in roads... low
spots... canyons and washes.
- Do not allow children to play near high water... storm drains or
ditches. Hidden dangers often lie beneath the water. In
addition... the flowing floodwaters could sweep children or other
people away.
- Avoid areas that are already flooded... especially if the
floodwaters are flowing fast. Do not attempt to cross flowing
streams. It only takes six inches of fast flowing water to sweep you
off your feet.
- Never drive on a flooded Road. Flooded roads often have significant
damage hidden by floodwaters. In addition... most vehicles lose
contact with the Road in six inches of water and can be swept away in
18 to 24 inches of water.
- Do not Camp or park your vehicle along streams or
washes... particularly when threatening weather conditions exist.
- Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize
flood dangers.


... Flood safety resources...

Here are some online resources for flood safety besides our office/S
web site.

- National flood safety awareness week web site --
http://www.Weather.Gov/floodsafety/.

- Turn around don/T drown web site -- http://tadd.Weather.Gov/.

- Federal emergency management agency /fema/ -- http://www.Fema.Gov/.
Fema/S mission is to lead the effort to prepare our nation for floods
and all other hazards. Fema does this by effectively managing federal
response and recovery efforts following any National incident. Fema
also initiates proactive mitigation activities... trains first
responders and manages the National flood insurance program as well
as the U.S. Fire administration.

- Fema flood smart web site -- http://www.Floodsmart.Gov/. This site
is the official site for the National flood insurance program /nfip/.
This site provides information on flood insurance and how to get it.

- Federal Alliance for safe homes /flash/ -- http://www.Flash.Org/.
This organization promotes life safety... property protection and
economic well-being by strengthening homes and safeguarding families
from floods and other natural and manmade disasters.


... For more information...

Our web site provides additional information about National flood
safety awareness week. Visit our web site at...
http://www.Crh.NOAA.Gov/dvn/


-------------------------------------------------------
Amateur Radio Operator
Duane Whittingham - N9SSN
Skywarn, ARES/RACES, EMA/ESDA
Red Cross and SATERN