Flash Floods In Prince Frederick, MD

4/13/2020 (Permalink)

Turn around, Don't drown

Did you know that flash floods are the #1 weather related killer in the United States? According to the National Weather Service, there are two key factors that relate to a flood. The first one being the rate of rainfall (intensity) and the second being how long the rainfall last (duration). 

Flashfloods can occur within minutes or hours of rainfall and can cause the rolling of boulders, trees, destroy buildings, take out bridges and sweep up cars. It is important to know your areas floods risks and avoid those areas when there is heavy rainfall. 

Never try and drive or walk through a heavy stream of water. It only takes as little as six inches of water to sweep you off your feet and two feet of water to uplift your car. If you see flood waters, turn around do not try and cross!

Listed below are the multiple different types of floods:

• River Floods: along rivers caused seasonally in winter and spring from rain and melting snow
• Coastal Floods: Tropical storms, hurricanes or intense offshore low pressure system driving ocean water inland.
• Urban Floods: land converted from woods or fields to parking lots and roads losing its ability to absorb rain water. Can lead to roads and streets becoming swift rivers and basements filling with deep waters. 
• Flash Floods in Arroyos/Washes: Water carved gully or a normally dry creek-bed that can quickly become filled with fast moving water
• Ice Jam: Floating ice that stops the flow of water