All floods are hazardous, but according to some of the federal government's top experts, flash floods -- the kinds that can sweep cars off roadways -- are the most dangerous kind of flood.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Severe Storms Laboratory, based in Norman, Oklahoma, routinely warns motorists to never underestimate the power of flowing water. They define flash floods this way because they combine the destructive power of a flood with incredible speed and unpredictability.
Flash floods occur when excessive water fills normally dry creeks or river beds along with currently flowing creeks and rivers, causing rapid rises of water in a short amount of time. They can happen with little or no warning anywhere in the country -- and they have caused injuries and fatalities in and around Fort Leonard Wood.
Motorists should use extreme caution when driving on roads affected by high water or flooding. Safety officials say motorists often overestimate the ability of a vehicle to cross. In fact, the No. 1 reason people drown during flooding is because they fail to realize the amount of force flowing water contains.
According to the National Weather Service, a mere 6 inches of fast-moving floodwater can knock over an adult.
It takes only 2 feet of rushing water to carry away a vehicle -- including pickups and SUVs.
It is important for civilians and service-members alike to pay attention to weather reports and warnings, especially those sent out by Fort Leonard Wood's Emergency Operations Center and Range Operations, which alert training units to areas that have high waters and areas temporarily closed to travel.
The ongoing NWS safety campaign "Turn Around, Don't Drown" provides a number of safety tips, but urges motorists to heed one above all: never attempt to cross through a low-water crossing where you cannot see the bottom of the crossing through the water.
The NWS also advises motorists to keep the following facts in mind:
-- Inland flooding is the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States. Every year, almost as many people die from flooding as from hurricanes, tornadoes and lightning combined. Most flood-related deaths and injuries could be avoided if people who come upon areas covered with water would institute best safety practices and turn around.
-- If you come to an area that is covered with water, you will not know the depth of the water or the condition of the ground under the water. This is especially true during the dark, when your vision is limited.
-- Inland flooding that leads to drowning usually occurs during flash-flood conditions.
-- Flash floods develop within six hours of a rainstorm. That may sound like a lot of time, but severe flash floods can occur in a matter of minutes, depending on the intensity and duration of the rain, the topography of an area, and the condition of the soil and ground cover.
-- Nearly half of all flash-flood fatalities are vehicle-related. The majority of victims are males, but flood deaths affect people of both sexes and all age groups.
Prepare for flooding
Flash flooding not only affects vehicles, but property, as well. Homeowners should find out how vulnerable their home is to flooding by determining the elevation of their property. Evaluate your insurance coverage once a year to make sure your home is fully covered, and be aware that as new construction grows in certain areas, more floodplains are sometimes created.
Here are some other ways to prepare for the a flood:
-- If your home is in a flood-prone area, contact the National Flood Insurance program to learn what mitigation measures you can take in advance.
-- Contact your local emergency management agency to learn how to construct proper protective measures around your home.
-- If you live in a flood-prone area, keep these materials on hand: sandbags, plywood, lumber, plastic sheeting, trash bags, shovels, work boots and gloves.
-- Purchase a weather radio. These special, battery-operated radios cost as little as $20 and are available at many hardware and appliance stores and other retail outlets.
-- Put together a disaster survival kit. Keep the following supplies near at hand and put them in a water-tight container: flashlight with extra batteries, battery-powered radio and weather radio, first aid kit, medicines, eyeglasses, drinking water, non-perishable foods, change of clothes, cash and credit cards and copies of all important papers.
-- Plan two evacuation routes in advance. Don't wait until threatening weather conditions occur before trying to determine your route to safety. Be aware of streams, drainage channels and low areas in your region that are prone to flooding, so that your evacuation routes are not cut off.
-- Do not park your vehicle near streams or rivers, especially during threatening weather conditions.
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