Flash Flooding

 Flash Flooding

2013 Colorado flash flood where 14 inches of rain fell
in two days.

We don't see them coming, but we need to prepare ourselves for the situation of flash flooding. Flash flooding is the result of heavy rain, dam break, levee failure, or rapid snowmelt and ice jams. Flash floods are usually cause by heavy rainfall in a short amount of time. Flash flooding occurs in cities more often due to the fact that there is more concrete, so the rain can't soak into the ground. Flash floods come without warning most of the time. During flash flooding water levels will rise quickly within hours or minutes.
       Colorado this week has had major flash flooding as a result of heavy rainfall in the are in the past several days. Rainfall totals in some areas of Colorado were 14 inches in just two days. This is 9 times the average rainfall for the total month of September for cities in Colorado. All this rain made the ground saturated so it could not hold any more water. The rain kept a falling, resulting in all the rainfall running into the rivers and streams in Colorado. All this rain running into the river resulted in significant rises in water levels. The rapid rise in water levels resulted in one manmade dam to break, which resulted in a wall of water to flow down the river. The water flowing down the river was moving fast, which engulfed whole towns and communities in matter of a couple hours. The fast moving waters washed away bridges, roads, trees, homes, cars, etc.. Lucky Colorado towns were told to evacuate before the rising waters. The Colorado flood has only claimed 3 lives so far.

     

My hometown of Steuben, WI 2008 flash flood where 10-12
inches of rain fell in two days.

Tips to keep you safe when flash flooding occurs:

 

• Leave areas prone to flooding when a flash flood warning is issued and seek higher ground
• Never attempt to drive through flooded roadways
• Never play in flooded waters
• If your car stalls, immediately get out
• Unplug all utilities when evacuating your home

Turn Around Don't Drown!!!!!!