Monday, February 21, 2011

Day 2 - Hazards of Flooding and Flash Floods

Today is Day 2 of Tennessee's Severe Weather Awareness Week. This year the dates are February 20-26, 2011.

Our focus is on the hazards of flooding and flash floods. The National Weather Service has a motto called 'Turn Around, Don't Drown'. The reason they have it is that each year more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other severe weather related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into flood waters.

Do you know why this happens? It is because people underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream. Of these drownings, many are preventable, but too many people continue to drive into flooded roadways.

Most flood-related deaths could be avoided if people who come upon areas covered with water followed this simple advice: "Turn Around, Don't Drown"....

Did you know?

  • Nearly 20" of rain fell over parts of Middle and West Tennessee during May 1 & 2, 2010 causing some of the worst flooding in the state's history. 
  • 49 counties, more than 1/2 in all of Tennessee, were declared disaster areas
  • The May floods claimed 24 lives
Tomorrow, we'll look at lightning...it is often called 'The Underrated Killer'


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AMS

AMS
Member-American Meteorological Society