Stay safe during flash floods! Learn about recent flash flood warnings, crucial safety tips from the NWS, and how to avoid hydroplaning. Protect yourself and your vehicle in heavy rain.
Summary: This article provides critical information on flash flood warnings, specifically highlighting recent advisories in Fresno and Santa Barbara Counties. It emphasizes safety precautions during heavy rainfall, including avoiding flooded roads, understanding hydroplaning, and seeking higher ground. The piece offers practical tips from the National Weather Service (NWS) to protect yourself and your property during flash flood events.
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Flash Flood Warning: Essential Safety Tips and Recent Advisories
Flash floods are a serious and potentially deadly weather phenomenon. Understanding flash flood warnings and knowing how to react is crucial for your safety. This article will delve into recent flash flood advisories, provide practical safety tips from the National Weather Service (NWS), and explain how to protect yourself during these hazardous events.
Recent Flash Flood Advisories
Recently, several areas have been under flood advisories due to excessive rainfall. Let’s take a closer look at the latest warnings:
Fresno County Flood Advisory
- Updated Warning: The National Weather Service (NWS) in Hanford, CA, issued an updated flood advisory for Fresno County, effective until 2:45 a.m. Thursday.
- Cause: The advisory highlights “urban and small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall.”
- Impact: Expect “minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.” Ponding of water is occurring or imminent.
- Key Message: “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.”
- Action Required: Report observed flooding to local emergency services or law enforcement when safe to do so.
Santa Barbara County Flood Advisory
- Santa Barbara County was also under a flood advisory until 2 a.m. Thursday, according to the NWS.
These warnings underscore the importance of staying informed and taking necessary precautions during periods of heavy rainfall.
Protecting Yourself During a Flash Flood
The NWS provides several critical safety tips to protect yourself during a flash flood:
Seeking Higher Ground
- If you reside in a flood-prone area or are camping in a low-lying zone, it is crucial to promptly seek higher ground.
- If told to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Secure your home when vacating the premises. If time permits, disconnect utilities and appliances.
Electrical Safety
- Avoid entering basements or rooms with submerged electrical outlets or cords.
- If you observe sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping sounds, evacuate immediately.
- Refrain from entering water that might carry an electric current.
Walking and Driving in Floodwaters
- Avoid walking through floodwaters. Remember, as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
- If trapped by moving water, seek the highest possible point and contact emergency services by calling 911.
- Never drive through flooded roads.
Driving Safely in Heavy Rain
Driving in heavy rain can be extremely dangerous. Here’s what you need to know:
General Driving Tips
- Switch on headlights: Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.
- Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground: Rainwater tends to accumulate at the road edges.
- Avoid puddles: Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.1
- Give ample space to large vehicles: Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.
- Avoid flooded areas: When encountering a flooded road, do a U-turn and head back. The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways. Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle’s mechanical and electrical systems.
Understanding Hydroplaning
- What is hydroplaning? Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle begins to slide uncontrollably on wet roads. This happens when water in front of the tire2 builds up faster than the vehicle’s weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
Causes of Hydroplaning
- Vehicle speed: When a vehicle’s speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases. Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.
- Water depth: The deeper the water, the sooner a vehicle loses traction on the road. It doesn’t matter how deep the water is, even a thin layer can lead to hydroplaning.
- Tire tread depth: Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
What to Do If You Hydroplane
- Ease off the accelerator: Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.
- Turn into the skid: Turning into the skid can help the vehicle’s tires realign to regain control.
- Make sure the tires reconnect with the road: During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.
- Brake gently as needed: Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
Table: Flash Flood Safety Tips
| Action | Recommendation |
| Seeking Higher Ground | Immediately move to higher ground if in a flood-prone area. Evacuate if instructed. |
| Electrical Safety | Avoid flooded basements and rooms with electrical hazards. Evacuate if sparks or buzzing sounds are heard. |
| Walking in Floodwaters | Avoid walking through floodwaters. 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. |
| Driving in Floodwaters | Never drive through flooded roads. Turn around and find an alternate route. |
| Hydroplaning Prevention | Drive at reduced speed, maintain good tire tread, and avoid deep puddles. |
| Hydroplaning Recovery | Ease off accelerator, turn into the skid, and brake gently as needed. |
| During Heavy Rain Driving | Turn on Headlights, stay in middle lanes, keep plenty of distance from large vehicles. |
Further Resources
For additional information and updates, consult these resources:
- National Weather Service (NWS)
- Local news channels
- Emergency management websites
Conclusion
Flash flood warnings are critical alerts that should be taken seriously. By understanding the risks and following the safety guidelines provided by the NWS, you can significantly reduce your risk of injury or property damage during a flash flood. Staying informed, being prepared, and acting quickly are key to staying safe.
FAQs
Q: What is a flash flood warning?
A: A flash flood warning is issued by the National Weather Service when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. It indicates a dangerous condition that requires immediate action.
Q: How much water can carry away a car?
A: According to the NWS, just 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars.
Q: What should I do if my car hydroplanes?
A: Ease off the accelerator, turn into the skid, and brake gently as needed.
Q: Where can I get updated flash flood warnings?
A: You can get updated flash flood warnings from the National Weather Service, local news channels, and emergency management websites.
Q: What is the most important thing to do during a flash flood?
A: The most important thing is to seek higher ground immediately and avoid driving or walking through floodwaters.
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