Thursday 18 April 2013

Severe Weather Awareness Week: Floods and flash floods, the number one killer

Severe Weather Awareness Week: Floods and flash floods, the number one killer, For much of Colorado, floods and flash floods present a grave danger to life and property in the spring and summer months. Every year there are flooding events in the state and these oftentimes turn deadly.

Floods and flash floods are usually the result of one of two things - spring snow melt occurring rapidly or a severe thunderstorm. The waters from flash floods can move with extraordinary speed and strike with little or not warning. Their force can be extremely destructive and when coupled with trees, dirt, rocks and other debris they carry downstream, they are deadly.

This is one in a series of articles for Colorado Severe Weather Awareness Week. Visit our main page for new articles every day on how to keep you and your family safe
Flooding is the number one weather killer in the United States.

Historically, by far what was probably Colorado’s greatest weather disaster was the result of a flash flood - the Big Thompson Flood on July 31, 1976. As Colorado was celebrating its centennial, a “perfect storm” was setting up to wreak havoc west of Loveland. A thunderstorm with amazing amounts of precipitation virtually parked over the area as nearly 12 inches of rain fell in the evening in areas like Glen Haven and Glen Comfort. The Big Thompson River swelled and a wall of water and mud rushed down the canyon destroying 418 homes, causing $40 million in damage and killing 144 people. Click here to see a presentation on the Big Thompson Flood.

In recent history, on July 28, 1997 areas around Fort Collins received in excess of 14 inches of rain - the most ever recorded over an urban area in Colorado. The result was six dead and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. The danger is present and Coloradoans need to be aware. According to Eve Gruntfest of the University of Colorado, an expert in flash floods, there are areas in the state particularly prone to dangerous flash flooding. Of greatest concern and most susceptible are Boulder, Manitou Springs, Colorado Springs and Black Hawk.

Flash floods get their name because they can move at incredible speeds and with little or no warning. They can cause great amounts of destruction due to not only the force of the water itself, but also by debris that is carried by the flood. Roadways, bridges, buildings and vehicles can be destroyed.

From the National Weather Service, the parameters for flood related watches and warnings are:

A Flash Flood or Flood Watch - Flash flooding or flooding is possible within the watch area. You should remain alert and be ready to evacuate within a short time.
A Flood Warning - Flooding is imminent or has been reported along a river. When a flood warning is issued take precautions to protect property.
A Flash Flood Warning - Flash flooding has been reported or is imminent. When a flash flood warning is issued for your area act quickly. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Go to higher ground or climb to safety before access is cut off by flood waters.
Flood Safety

Do not camp or park your vehicle along creeks and washes, especially during threatening conditions.
If flooding occurs, get to higher ground immediately. Get out of areas subject to flooding. This includes dips, low spots, canyons, washes etc.
If you are near a river be aware of water levels and be prepared to go to higher ground if river levels rise.
Do not enter areas that are already flooded.
Do not try to cross a flowing creek on foot when the water is at or above your knees.
If walking or fishing along a river be aware that erosion from swift flowing water can cause river banks to collapse.
Never allow children to play around high water, storm drains, viaducts or arroyos.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to see flood dangers.
Over half of all flood-related drownings occur because of vehicles driving into flood waters. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. The main reason is people underestimate and don’t understand the force and power of water. Many of these drowning are preventable, but too many people continue to drive around the barriers that warn you the road is flooded. Six inches of water can knock over an adult. Less than two feet of water can carry away a vehicle.

Remember TADD - Turn Around, Don’t Drown. Do not ever enter a flooded roadway, no matter how deep the water looks. Visit the National Weather Service TADD website for more information.

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National Weather Service Statement for Severe Weather Awareness Week

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BOULDER CO
600 AM MDT WED APR 17 2013

Flooding Can Be A Major Problem In Colorado

In Colorado, there are two distinct types of flooding. When the snow begins to melt in the high country, rivers begin to rise. Flooding along rivers and streams can occur with a very rapid snow melt, or from thunderstorm rains combining with the runoff from melting snow.

The other type of flooding, flash flooding, refers to a dangerous sudden rise in water along a creek, wash, river, or over a normally dry land area. Flash floods result from heavy rainfall, sudden breaks in river ice jams, and dam or levee failures. Flash Floods can occur within a few minutes or hours, and can move at surprisingly high speeds, striking with little warning. Flash floods are quite destructive because of the force of the moving water, and the debris that accumulates in flood waters, such as trees and boulder, which can destroy roadways, bridges and buildings.

In recent years we have seen serious flooding when heavy rain falls on recently burned areas. Residents in and near burned areas near Mancos, Debeque or in the front range foothills from Larimer to El Paso counties should plan ahead on response actions for flooding.

The National Weather Service will discuss flood and flash flood potential in daily hazardous weather outlooks and in the weather story on national weather service websites. On days with a high threat for flooding you may hear:

A Flash Flood or Flood Watch, which means that flash flooding or flooding, is possible within the watch area.

A Flood Warning, which means that flooding is imminent or has been reported along a river.

A Flash Flood Warning, which means that flash flooding has been reported or is imminent. When a flash flood warning is issued for your area, act quickly. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Go to higher ground or climb to safety before access is cut off by flood waters.

Some offices will issue an Urban Flood Advisory which will be issued for impact flooding that is not in itself life threatening. In an urban area if you were commuting during rush hour during a flood advisory you could expect some intersections to be underwater and a much longer commute. A Small Stream Flood Advisory might be issued when flow is bankful with minor lowland flooding along the stream.

Nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are vehicle related. Do not enter a flooded roadway, instead turn around, do not drown. In rapidly rising waters, backing up away from water may be safer. One to two feet of water will carry away most vehicles and you also cannot tell if the road is damaged beneath the water.

Colorado Severe Weather Awareness Week continues through this Saturday.

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