.. Flood safety awareness week March 16 through 20 of 2015... 

... Today's topic: turn around... don't drown...

Flooding remains one of the leading causes of weather related fatalities in the United States.  On average... flooding claims about 90 lives each year.  More than half of these deaths occur in motor vehicles when people attempt to drive through flooded roadways. People underestimate the force and power of water... especially when it is moving.

Just six inches of fast moving water can knock over and sweep away an adult.  Twelve inches of water can float a small car.  If that water is moving... it can carry the car downstream.  Eighteen to twenty-four inches of flowing water can sweep away most vehicles.

It is impossible to accurately estimate the depth of water covering a roadway or the condition of the roadway below the water... and especially at night time with limited vision.  Never drive or walk through flood waters.  If at any time you arrive at a flooded Road... walkway or path... follow this simple rule: 


turn around... don't drown!!

For more information and flood safety tips... please visit the following (in lower case type):

www.floodsafety.noaa.gov