Flood The overflowing of the normal confines of a stream or other body of water, or the accumulation of water over areas that are not normally submerged

Flash Flood A flood that rises and falls quite rapidly with little or no advance warning, usually as the result of intense rainfall over a relatively small area POSSIBLE CAUSES Ice jams Dam failure Topography

Flood Safety êJudgement êIf You Absolutely Must Cross a Flooded Stream... êEnter slowly, watch the depth and back out if the front axle is submerged êIf your vehicle stalls in the wash, and upstream weather conditions are bad, abandon the vehicle and get to shore

Flood Safety êRemember... êFloodwaters can conceal a damaged roadway êFlash Floods rarely last more than an hour êDon’t trade an hour for a lifetime

Flood Myth or Fact? Flash flooding is the #1 killer associated with thunderstorms FACT More than 140 fatalities per year

Flood Myth or Fact? A 100-year flood occurs only once every 100 years MYTH A 100-year flood is one that has a 1%, or one out of 100, chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The term gives an estimate of the probability that a flood of a certain size will occur, not when it will occur. There is nothing to prevent a second 100-year flood from occurring a year or even a week after the first one.

Flood Myth or Fact? Flash floods mainly occur in the eastern United States MYTH Flash floods occur in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii

Flood Myth or Fact? Flash floods only occur along flowing streams MYTH Flash floods can occur in dry arroyos and urban areas where no streams are present Or at least they’re not supposed to be there…

Flood Myth or Fact? Most flash flood fatalities occur at night and most victims are people who become trapped in automobiles FACT People can’t see flooded roadways at night The vast majority of people who die in floods die in their cars

Flood Myth or Fact? Flash floods occur mainly in the afternoon or evening MYTH Many flash floods occur at night

Flood Myth or Fact? You should be able to see the yellow line on the road before driving through water FACT If you can’t see the center line, the road may have collapsed or it could get very deep very quickly

Flood Myth or Fact? Homeowners insurance policies cover flooding MYTH Unfortunately, many homeowners do not find out until it is too late that their policies do not cover flooding. Contact your insurance company or agent to buy flood insurance

Flood Myth or Fact? Only six inches of water can knock you off your feet FACT …and away you G o o o o o o o o o o o !!!

Flood Myth or Fact? You can’t buy flood insurance if your property has been flooded MYTH You are still eligible to purchase flood insurance after your home, apartment, or business has been flooded, provided your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program

Flood Myth or Fact? Larger vehicles, such as SUVs and pickups, are safe to drive through flood waters MYTH Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickups.

Martin Loya stands on top of his SUV as bystanders try to help rescue him from a flooded arroyo off of Los Pinos Road in La Cieniega on August 1, Loya drove into the arroyo where it crossed Camino Angel road and became stuck in the mud while heavy rains in the area flooded around him and eventually into his vehicle leaving him stranded on top. Bystanders threw him a rope and helped pull him to the shore.