National Flood Safety Awareness Week.

Written by: Brian Neudorff

When I go and do weather talks one of the questions I like to ask those in attendance is, "What is the deadliest of all severe weather?" I hear answers like tornadoes, lightning, and even hurricanes but those are false. The correct answer is flooding. It claims more lives each year than the above mentioned severe weather hazards.

The Centers for Disease Control report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into flood waters. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. The reason these deaths are so high is because people underestimate the force and power of moving water. It doesn't take much, just 6 inches of fast moving water can knock an adult off their feet and just 2 feet of rushing water can wash away most vehicles including pickups and SUVs.

Most of these flood-related deaths and injuries could be avoided, unfortunately too many people continue to drive around posted signs and barriers warning them of flooded roadways. A flooded roadway can be very deceptive. One may think, "It doesn't look that deep, I can drive through it," but they can never tell how deep the water really is and if the road under the water is still there. Flood waters can wash away roads and leave sink holes and you may not be able to tell just by looking.

The National Weather Service is using this week (March 17 through 21), as National Flood Safety Awareness Week to spread their message of safety using the slogan "Turn Around don't Drown." It may be an inconvenient to find an alternate route especially if where you have to go is just beyond the flooded stretch of road but it is much better to arrive safe and sound than to take a risk with your life and possible that of another who may be traveling with you.

For more information on flood safety you can visit the National Weather Service Page on Flood Safety.