Page 6 - Desert Lightning News October 2015

6 October 2, 2015
Preparing for floods
Commentary by Airman 1st Class Alec Trusdell
355th Civil Engineer Squadron
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE,
Ariz. -- As monsoon season continues, and
thunderstorms are almost a daily occurrence,
let’s think about all the hazards associated with
the storms. There’s lightning, high winds and
heavy rain. With heavy rainfall comes the pos-
sibility of flooding. How dangerous can a flood
be? The answer is, extremely dangerous.
In the past five years, all 50 states experi-
enced flooding. In 2011, the total amount of
flood damage was roughly $8.4 billion with 113
related deaths. From 2005 to 2014, total flood
insurance claims in the U.S. averaged more than
$3.5 billion per year.
Usually, people think that small amounts of
water aren’t a huge danger, when in fact; they
can cause a lot of damage. It takes only six inch- sued to inform the public as well as cooperating
es of floodwater to cause a person to lose their
balance, and two feet of it can carry most cars
away. Flooding is a serious natural disaster. It
can claim lives and cause devastating destruc-
tion to a community. Knowing which types of
floods your area is most susceptible to is impor-
tant so you can adequately prepare for the as-
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sociated hazards. over the radio and television.
In Tucson and the local area, we are vulner- If you are caught in an area where flood waters
able to flash floods due to the region’s active are heading, get to higher ground. If this means
monsoon season. Flash floods are dangerous be- abandoning your car, then you should do it. But
cause they leave little to no warning compared drivers beware, if you are driving during or after
to other types of floods that can be prepared a flood and ignore signs or barriers that are set
for in advance. The rapid speed of the water up to prohibit motorists, you could face some
can carry rocks weighing hundreds of pounds consequences. The “Stupid Motorist Law” holds
for some distance, with the potential to injure motorists liable for the cost of emergency servic-
people or damage property. These hazards and es administered to rescue them, or their vehicle.
many others make it a deadly force of nature
that can catch people unaware and unprepared. It is important to always be alert and prepared
when heavy rain is coming to your area. You can
There are two types of notices that aid in alert- utilize resources such as www.floodsafety.noaa.
ing the populace about a flash flood occurrence. gov,www.floodsmart.gov, and http://www.beready.
A flood or flash flood warning is issued to inform af.mil/ to better prepare yourself and others.
the public that flooding is imminent or in prog-
ress. It focuses on specific counties, communi- Staff Sgt. Daniel Vance, 355th Civil Engineer
ties, streams, or areas. Flash flood warnings are Squadron, contributed to this report.
issued for flooding usually occurring within five
to six hours of heavy rain. Flood watches are is-
agencies and other interests that the current and
developing weather conditions are favorable for
flooding. There are several ways to receive these
alerts, such as text messages or weather applica-
tions via your phone, and emergency broadcasts
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