• Monitor the NOAA Weather Radio, or your favorite news source for vital weather related information.
• If flooding occurs, get to higher ground. Get out of areas subject to flooding. This includes dips, low spots, canyons, washes etc.
• Avoid areas already flooded, especially if the water is flowing fast. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams.
• Road beds may be washed out under flood waters. NEVER drive through flooded roadways. If your vehicle is suddenly caught in rising water, leave it immediately and seek higher ground.
• Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly during threatening conditions.
• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

Severe Weather Safety

On average 100,000 thunderstorms occur each year across the Untied States, causing property loss in the hundreds of millions of dollars and killing and injuring hundreds. Hail alone produces millions of dollars in damage each year. However, one of the more lethal aspects of thunderstorms, lightning is often on of the most ignored.

When lightning threatens, the best shelter is a building or home. Automobiles provide adequate shelter except in extreme winds and tornadoes. Natural lightning rods, such as trees should always be avoided. Other danger spots include open fields, hilltops, rivers and lakes. Stay away from metal objects like fences, rails and pipes. If you feel your hair stand on end, it means lightning is about to strike. Drop immediately to your knees and bend forward.

When a tornado strikes, the safest place is inside the basement of a home or building. Mobile homes are not considered reinforced shelter, so occupants should go to another structure or to a designated tornado shelter included at many mobile home parks. If a basement is not available, go to an interior room on the lowest floor. Stay away from windows and doors. Cover your body withy pillows or cushions. If you are driving or caught in an open area, do not try to outrun the tornado. Instead head toward a ditch or culvert and cover your body for protection.

Flooding along rivers is an inevitable part of life. However, torrential rains from thunderstorms can cause flash flooding in areas that are far from any river or stream. Saving property during floods is not the only thing we must keep in mind during floods. Personal safety is a top priority. In fact, more people die across the Untied States each year in a flood related weather disaster, than are killed by tornadoes and lightning combined.

Fortunately, flood related fatalities can be avoided by taking precautionary steps. First, never cross a flooded roadway in your car. Nearly half of all flood related deaths are auto related. It only takes 2 feet of water to make your car buoyant, and four wheel drive vehicles are affected as well. Many fatal incidents involve motorists who don't heed road closures, which can clearly mark the flood hazard. Remember, if you car becomes buoyant, you no longer have control and can easily be swept away by the river current.

Play or walking in the water can be dangerous. Not only is there a health hazard, but whirlpools can develop around storm drains. Unsuspecting people walking near these areas have been sucked into the water, unable to fight the current caused by the drain. Even six inches of fast moving water can knock you off your feet.

Before the flood there are several steps that you can take. Know your flood risk and elevation above the flood stage. Store drinking water in various containers in case water service is interrupted. Keep a stock of food that requires little cooking and no refrigeration in case the electrical power is interrupted. Install check valves in building sewer taps to prevent flood water from backing up into your home.

Throughout the season always keep a battery operated weather radio for the latest weather information. Weather Radio programmed by the National Weather Service, will provide 24 hour updates on all weather hazards.