Page 7 - Desert Lightning News 7-17-15
P. 7

Desert Lightning News                                July 17, 2015                                                                                                                                   7

                                                     www.aerotechnews.com/davis-monthanafb

                                                     Facebook.com/DesertLightningNews

Staying safe during flash flood season

Commentary by Staff Sgt. Paul Fernandez              ing cigarette butts, fast food wrappers, and any         or walk through flooded waters. Remember these tips
                                                     other trash or debris into proper trash receptacles.     during a flash flood to keep yourself and family safe:
99th Air Base Wing Safety 
                                                        Residents should report clogged storm drains             · Remember a watch means a flash flood is possible
   NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev.    --  July           to the Regional Flood Control District by call-             · A warning means that a flash flood is occur-
is here with high temperatures and a high            ing 575-455-3139. The Clark County program               ring or is nearby
chance of flash flooding. The months with the        “Only Rain in the Storm Drain” reminds resi-                · Watch the television or listen to the National
highest probability for thunderstorms are July       dents how to keep these storm drains clean of            Weather Service for updates on flooding 
through September.                                   unnecessary debris.                                         · Be ready to evacuate your home if necessary
                                                                                                                 · Traveling to higher ground is always a safe
   Las Vegas’ annual rainfall is approximately          Roadways and highways are a major concern during      bet, whether at home or traveling in vehicles
4.13 inches, and while this may not seem like a      flooding. “When flooded turn around, don’t drown,” is         · If you are asked to evacuate your home due to
lot of rain, the elevation of Las Vegas makes a big  the slogan that the NWS uses for flood awareness.         flooding, do so immediately
difference. Elevation levels in the Las Vegas val-                                                                · Electrical fires can start as a result of flood damage
ley are lower than the surrounding area, which          More than half of all flood-related fatalities            · Don’t allow your children to play or swim in
causes the water to flow into it.                     result from driving through hazardous flood               flood water because it is often contaminated
                                                     waters. Walking through flood water is the next              · Night time is more dangerous during flood-
   According to the Clark County Regional Flood      highest percentage of fatalities.                        ing due to decreased visibility
Control District, there have been 11 major floods                                                                 · The majority of injuries that occur in flash
since 1960. These floods have claimed the lives of       Flash floods should be taken very seriously            floods are from persons, vehicles or property
31 people and have cost of more than $1 million      all year round. Help keep the storm drains and           being swept away
per flood.                                            Las Vegas Wash clean by disposing of trash and              · With moving water, it is important to keep in mind
                                                     chemicals appropriately.                                 that six inches of water will knock a person from their
   Storm drains and flood channels throughout                                                                  feet and 24 inches of water will lift and move a vehicle
Las Vegas are designed to divert water via the Las      Keep yourself aware by paying attention to the           · Don’t drive through flooded areas
Vegas Wash to Lake Mead. These storm drains of-      television and NWS on the radio whenever it is              · Remember, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”
ten become blocked by debris, objects and trash,     raining. One of the most important things to be
resulting in an overwhelming amount of water         aware of is to remember a “flood watch” means
overflowing onto the roadways. Las Vegas resi-        the possibility of flooding exists and a “flood
dents can help eliminate this situation by throw-    warning” means flooding is or will occur.

                                                        Follow all road signs and barriers, and do not drive

Night Wings!

              July 25                                         Photo courtesy of: Dylan Martin Photo  YOUR
                                                                                                     FEDERAL CAREER
               $10 EVENING ADMISSION                                                                 CONTINUES HERE.
                 Kids 12 & Under FREE!
                          5 - 9pm                                                                     -RLQ86&XVWRPVDQG%RUGHU3URWHFWLRQDVD&%32IÀFHUDQGKHOSXVNHHSWHUURULVWVDQG
                                                                                                      WKHLUZHDSRQVRXWRIWKH8QLWHG6WDWHV3RVLWLRQVDYDLODEOHLQ\RXUDUHDDQGRWKHUQRUWKHUQ
Explore the museum during the cool summer evenings!                                                   DQGVRXWKHUQERUGHUSRUWVRIHQWU\
   Kid Activity Stations - Fun with Science - Prizes                                                  $SSOLFDWLRQVDFFHSWHGWKURXJK-XO\RUZKHQDSSOLFDWLRQVDUHUHFHLYHG
                         Flight Grill Open                                                            )RUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQDQGWRDSSO\QRZJRWR86$MREVJRYNH\ZRUG´&%32IÀFHUµ

            Exit 267 off I-10, go east to 6000 E. Valencia Rd.                                        Veterans preference. Credit for military service. VA benefits for approved on-the-job
                        www.pimaair.org - 520.574.0462                                                training programs.

                                                                                                     WE ARE AMERICA’S FRONTLINE

                                                                                                                                        Apply Now — USAjobs.gov

                                                                                                      U.S. Customs and Border Protection is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12