Prepare for Flash Flooding

Flash floods happen quickly; it is important to recognize whether or not you live in an area prone to flash flooding and how you can prepare in advance. According to the National Weather Service, the causes of flash flooding include heavy rain, ice or debris jams, and levee or dam failure. These floods exhibit a rapid rise of water over low-lying areas. In some cases, flooding may even occur away from where heavy rain initially fell. Follow these tips from Ready.gov to make sure you, your family, and your home are prepared for a flash flood: Know your flood risk. Make a flood emergency plan. Consider buying flood insurance. Familiarize yourself with local emergency plans. Know where to go and how to get there should you need to get to higher ground, the highest level of a building, or to evacuate. Stay tuned to your phone alerts, TV, or radio for weather updates, emergency instructions, or evacuation orders. For more flood safety information, download Prepareathon’s How to Prepare for a Flood guide.