What is Flash Flooding, and How Can You Avoid It?

Flooding can occur anywhere in the United States and kills more people than tornadoes, lightning, and hurricanes combined. Flooding can range from happening slowly over time to becoming a life or death situation in a matter of minutes.

While flooding is dangerous on its own, flash flooding poses the greatest risk. Flash flooding generally occurs within six hours of the first rainfall but can be more sudden. The regions of most concern are low-lying land and roads, especially along waterways. In as little as six inches of water, someone can be swept off of their feet and cars can be stalled. It takes approximately a foot and a half to two feet of water to wash away a vehicle.

Water flowing at 10-mph can produce the same amount of force as winds blowing at 300-mph. For reference, the top wind gust calculated in the 2020 Iowa Derecho was 140-mph. While the water and currents are of most threat, the contaminants in the water are also a hazard. Water that is involved in flooding is generally littered with debris, waste, and possibly electrical lines. This is why walking through floodwaters is highly discouraged. 

As a friendly reminder, when faced with a flooding situation, especially on a road, the saying is: “Turn around, don’t drown.” And always seek shelter in the highest area around.