Daufuskie Island, South Carolina

the National Weather Service has declared March 15 through 19 flood
safety awareness week. The National Weather Service in Charleston
will feature a different educational topic each day during the
awareness week. The topic for today is flood safety.

It is important to understand the difference between river flooding
and flash flooding. Flash flooding is the rapid inundation of areas
that do not normally flood... usually during torrential showers or
thunderstorms. If flooding is only expected to be a nuisance... the
National Weather Service issues a Flood Advisory. In cases where
flooding is expected to be a risk to life and property... a Flash
Flood Warning is issued.

River flooding is a much slower rise in water levels along main-Stem
rivers such as the Savannah River... Ogeechee river... or edisto
river. River flood warnings are issued when levels are expected to
cause significant impacts to property along the river. If you live
along a river and are not sure what floods... talk to city or County
officials or even neighbors to determine at what river level to
evacuate.

How to reduce potential flood damage and what to include in a family
disaster plan can be obtained from the American Red Cross. The NWS
works with and relies on strategic partners involved in floodplain
management... flood hazard mitigation... flood preparedness... and
flood warnings to reduce the loss of life and property due to
floods. Key partners include the U.S. Geological
survey... fema... the association of state floodplain managers and the
American Red Cross.

NOAA Weather Radio all hazards is one of the best ways to receive
flood warnings from the National Weather Service. NOAA Weather Radio
all hazards is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting
continuous weather and river information direct from nearby NWS
offices. The NWS web Page also identifies where flooding is
occurring or expected: www.Weather.Gov