Troy, New York

... Flood safety awareness week continues...

The National Weather Service and New York and New England
emergency management agencies remind you that March 15 through
March 19 is flood safety awareness week.

Today we turn our attention to a deadly threat... flash flooding.

Flash flooding is a rapid rise... within six hours... of water along
a stream or low lying urban area. The most common cause of flash
flooding is downpours associated with thunderstorms. However...
flash flooding can also result from ice jams... dam breaks... and
the effects of heavy winter rain and snow melt. Flash flooding is
meant to imply the threat is urgent.

Eastern New York and adjacent western England are particularly
susceptible to flash flooding because of topography. Heavy rain
falling on steep terrain creates an ideal situation for flash
flooding. Flash flooding presents a threat to the urban motorist
as well. Underpasses can fill rapidly with water. Driving into a
flooded underpass can quickly put you in five or six feet of
water. Nineteen flash flood events were recorded in eastern
New York and western New England in 2008. In July 2008... flash
flooding in the capital district forced the closure of many
roads... including a portion of the New York state thruway. Urban
flash flooding in August 2008 resulted in a state of emergency
being declared in Rensselaer New York.

Flash flooding can be deadly. Four people were killed in June 2007
in Delaware County New York from a flash flood caused by 11 inches
of rain falling in a short period of time. Almost half of all
flash flood related deaths occur in automobiles. Two feet of
flowing water will cause most cars to float... smaller cars will
float in less water. Flooding hazards are increased at night when
visibility is reduced. Noaas National Weather Service urges you to
respect all barriers that warn of flooded roads. Turn around...
dont drown.

Those with interests along rivers... creeks and streams should
remain alert for flash flooding. Campers are particularly at risk.
A normally placid stream can swell to a 10 foot deep raging river
in less than an hour if thunderstorm downpours inundate an area.
Remember... six inches of flowing water is often enough to knock a
person off their feet. When outdoors... keep alert for... Muddy
rapidly rising streams... or a loud roaring sound upstream. If
observed... head for higher ground imediately.

NOAA Weather Radio all hazards offers the best way to stay in
touch with weather conditions whether at home... work or play.
NOAA Weather Radio provides continuous broadcasts of weather
information... with immediate relay of any flood warnings. Noaas
National Weather Service recommends everyone have access to a
NOAA Weather Radio.

Remember... turn around... dont drown.

Tomorrow we review tropical inland flooding.

For those of you with internet access... all of our weather
information... including river forecasts... is available online.
Simply go to www.Weather.Gov and then click on eastern New York
or adjacent western New England.