Flash floods and floods are the worst weather-related
killer, causing about 140 deaths in the United States
annually each year.
When flash flood
watches or warnings are issued for your area, remember
the following:
- WHEN INDOORS:
- If ordered
to evacuate or if rising water is threatening, leave
immediately and get to higher ground.
- If your home
is in a flood-prone area, make a list of personal
items to protect from flood waters. If you don't know
whether you live in a flood-prone area, contact Austin's
Stormwater Management Division at 499-7104.
- The City of
Austin staffs an Emergency Operations Center that
monitors creeks during heavy storms and relays information
about threatening situations immediately to the news
media. Keep up with the news for current information.
IF OUTDOORS:
- Go to higher
ground immediately. Avoid small rivers or streams,
low spots, canyons, dry creekbeds, etc.
- Do not try
to walk through flowing water more than ankle deep!
- Do not allow
children to play around streams, drainage ditches
or viaducts, storm drains, or other flooded areas.
- Rafting and
tubing in swollen creeks is life-threatening. All
boating, rafting, canoeing and tubing are illegal
on all waterways within Austin if a Boating Ban is
declared by the Fire Chief.
IF IN
A VEHICLE:
- DO NOT
DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED AREAS! The large majority
of flash-flooding deaths strike people driving through
flooded areas. Some vehicles will float in as little
as 12 inches of fast-moving water, which can displace
1,500 pounds.
- Don't drive
or walk into water that is flowing across low water
crossings, bridges or any other area. The road under
the water could be washed out.
- Don't pass
or move street barricades set up at low water crossings
and flooded areas. If you drive around a barricade,
you are subject to a $200 fine.
- For information
about road closures and other emergency conditions
within the City of Austin, call 445-1996.
Sources: The Austin Office of Emergency Managment
and the Norman
National Weather Service Forecast Office
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