If water rises in your home before you evacuate, call 911 and go to the top floor or roof. Turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve if advised to do so.Ĭonsider purchasing flood insurance, particularly if you live near a creek. When a flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground. If you come in contact with floodwater, wash your hands with soap and disinfected water.įind out if you live in a flood-prone area.Plan and practice an evacuation route. Their primary purpose of these basins is to hold water and keep rain from flooding surrounding neighborhoods. Avoid these areas when they are filled with water. Retention basins are sometimes used as sports fields and walking areas when the ground is dry. Besides the danger of swift current, the water can be contaminated. It is not safe for anyone, regardless of your swimming ability, to swim in floodwater. ![]() Six inches of swiftly moving water can knock you off of your feet.ĭo not play near creeks or drainage areas. ![]() If you must walk through a flooded area, use a pole or stick to ensure that the ground is solid, even where the water is not flowing. Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths. They are there for a reason.Īttempts to move stalled vehicles can end in drowning.Īvoid walking in floodwater. Two feet of flowing water is enough to sweep your vehicle away – including SUV’s and pickups. A flash flood emergency, the most dire flood alert, was declared in Okmulgee County, Okla., before dawn Thursday. Six inches of water can reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing you to lose control or possibly stall. Flooding can scour away the entire road and a significant amount of ground beneath. Worse yet, there may be no road at all under the water. If there is no other route, drive to higher ground and wait for the water to recede.Įven if the water appears shallow enough to cross, don't try it. If you can’t see the road, don’t drive in it. Two people were killed in weather-related accidents in Oklahoma and three lost. Oklahoma City residents are reminded to follow the safety tips below: At least five people have died and hundreds of homes have been destroyed in flash flooding in the southern US. Vehicles can be overwhelmed quickly if the water is too high, stranding drivers and passengers in unsafe conditions.Įven very small streams, creeks, culverts, dry streambeds or low-lying ground that appears harmless in dry weather area at risk for flooding. Drivers should never drive into areas of pooled water when they aren’t certain of the depth. “Turn around, don’t drown” has long been the rallying cry for safety when driving during floods. Stay home and avoid area.įor most recent updates, click here: Flood safety I-44 was completely shut down at one point near Southwest 29th Street. Do not drive.Įmergency crews staging at Plaza Mayor (former Crossroads Mall) for disaster response. KOCO News reports on major flooding from flash floods in Oklahoma City metro area. US National Weather Service Norman Oklahoma has declared a Flash Flood Emergency for the first time in OKC history. ![]() If you smell natural gas or propane or hear a hissing noise, leave immediately and call 911.ĭo not use water that may be contaminated.Ĭontact your local health department for specific recommendations for boiling or treating water in your area after a disaster.Flash flood emergency for Oklahoma City Public Information and Marketing - Zach Nash Return home only after officials have declared the area safe.īefore entering your home, look outside for loose power lines, damaged gas lines and foundational cracks in your home. It's dangerous and often is contaminated.īe extra cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers. When a flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground.ĭo not drive through flooded roadways. Pay attention to local TV stations, radio, NOAA Weather Radio, online news sources and smartphone apps (like the American Red Cross' all-inclusive Emergency App for Apple and Android) to stay alert for warnings and floods in progress. Fast-moving water only six inches deep can knock you off your feet, and rushing water can also carry away most vehicles including passenger cars, SUVs and pickups. Flash Flood Safetyįlash floods kill more than 90 people each year on average in the U.S. The NWS issues a flash flood warning when flash floods are occurring. The National Weather Service (NWS) issues a flash flood watch when flash floods are possible. A flash flood occurs within a few hours of heavy or excessive rainfall, and/or as the result of a dam or levee failure.įlash floods kill more people than any other severe thunderstorm hazard.
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