Flash flood warnings, explained
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth issued a flash flood warning for counties along the I-20 corridor on Monday as North Texas experiences its first substantial rainfall of the summer.
Some areas in Tarrant and Dallas counties received 8-12 inches as of Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
What counts as a flash flood?
A flash flood can occur within minutes or a few hours of excessive rainfall and take generally less than six hours to develop. According to the weather service, flash floods are raging torrents after heavy rains that sweep everything before them.
What is ‘Turn Around Don’t Drown’?
During a flash flood, people walking or driving through flood waters should move immediately to higher ground.
Turn Around Don’t Drown was created as a safety initiative by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult and twelve inches of rushing water can carry away most cars. Trucks and SUVs can be carried away by two feet of rushing water.
How can I stay safe if I have to drive?
Rainfall can impact roadway visibility, pavement friction and lane obstruction, increasing the risk of accidents and delaying traffic.
Between Sunday evening to early Monday morning, MedStar responded to 23 crashes including one call about a vehicle in flooded water.
Follow these tips from MedStar in order to stay safe on the roads when driving in the rain:
- Leave early and slow down
- Do not drive distracted and grip the steering wheel with both hands
- Avoid standing water on roadways
- Drive in the tracks of the car in front of you
- Create more following distance between you and the car in front
- If your car starts to hydroplane, do not brake or turn the wheel abruptly
- Do not use cruise control
- Defog windows and ensure windshield wipers are in good shape
What should I do during a flood?
Here are tips by the National Weather Service on what to do during a flood:
- Stay informed by listening to the weather service through radio television or social media.
- Get to higher ground
- Avoid flood waters
- Practice electrical safety. Avoid basements or any room where water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged.
- Obey evacuation orders and lock your home when you leave.
This story was originally published August 22, 2022 at 10:14 AM.
