Understanding And Preparing For Flash Floods
Of all the natural disasters that you may experience, one of the most frightening and dangerous is the flash flood. More akin to a fire or an earthquake, flash floods happen quickly and can have devastating consequences. And since they usually start and are over in less than six hours, it is nearly impossible to prepare for a flash flood. How, then, does one protect oneself and family from these frightening occurrences? The best defense you may have is knowledge; know what causes flash floods, what types of areas are most susceptible, and what to do if you find yourself in a flash flood situation.
What is a Flash Flood?
So what exactly is a flash flood and how does it differ from regular flooding? A flash flood, as the name suggests, is a rapid flooding of a low-lying area of land, usually near a river or a stream. They have many causes, but most flash floods usually occur after a period of heavy rain in an area that isn’t used to a lot of rainwater. The dry ground isn’t accustomed to so much water and can’t absorb it as fast as it is falling. The excess water then runs into streams and rivers and flows quickly downhill. Flooding can occur anywhere downhill from the precipitation source, some happening as far as twenty to thirty miles away.
Flash floods are one of the most dangerous types of natural disasters. According to the National Weather Service, more people die yearly in flash floods than by lightning, tornadoes, or hurricanes. Surprisingly, the speed that flash floods move is not their most dangerous quality. What causes so many flash flood-related deaths is that people underestimate the flood’s power. Most flash floods aren’t catastrophic in size. However, they are very powerful; a flood as low as two feet can be swift and powerful enough to carry away an SUV-sized vehicle. The majority of flash flood fatalities are caused by people trying to cross a flood in a vehicle. Many other deaths are attributed to hidden debris, such as branches or logs, being pushed along by the flood water. When it comes to avoiding a flash flood-related injury or death, the best advice comes from the US National Weather Service: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown“.
Flash Flood Preparation
Unfortunately, because of the nature of flash floods it is extremely hard to prepare for them. However, there are a few precautions you can take if you know you live in an area that could be prone to flooding. The most common flood areas are southern and eastern states i.e Texas, Louisiana, Florida, New Jersey, and South Carolina.
The most obvious precaution is to stay up-to-date on weather patterns and flood warnings. Do not take any chances; if there is a chance a flood may hit your home or business, get out immediately. Secondly, store valuables and sentimental items high. A flood may be powerful, but if you keep valuables high there is a smaller chance of water damage. Finally, try to take pictures of your valuables in case they do get damaged. Having pictures of your house, car, furniture, and other valuables will help speed up the claim process if you happen to have flood insurance.
Flash Flood Recovery
While flash floods can cause significant damage to your home or vehicle, many flood victims find that the most devastating loss they suffer is the loss of their personal belongings — photograph albums, diaries, birth certificates, etc. — to water damage. It may be expensive to re-carpet a living room, but it can seem nearly impossible to get back documents destroyed by water damage. Luckily, there are a number of services available that can help restore damaged photographs and documents. The best document restoration specialists utilize a technique called a desiccant air dry distribution system. These systems are often able to restore or recover any water-damaged document quickly and effectively. Vacuum-freeze drying systems are also great options. This method removes all moisture from the drying chamber and evenly distributes air pressure, ensuring little to no warping of your books or pictures.
Flash floods are dangerous, unexpected, and unpredictable. They can take lives, destroy homes, and cause horrible damage to important items of sentimental value. With a little preparation, however, and a good document restoration specialist on your side, a flash flood doesn’t need to be devastating.
~Ben Nystrom, 2009
