February 4, 2016
On Wednesday, the National Weather Service Mount Holly issued a Flood Watch for Philadelphia and the surrounding counties.
This, due to the combination of heavy rains midweek and melting snow from higher temperatures.
The Flood Watch was a real time example of being prepared for natural disasters.
The Flood Watch also coincided with the start of FEMA’s “Flood Safety” month, so now is a good time to become aware and prepare for when flooding is forecast.
- Be Ready. Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management has you covered with our preparedness materials.
- Be Informed. Flooding can occur with little or no notice. Sign up to get real time weather updates from direct from the National Weather Service with Philadelphia OEM’s ReadyPhiladelphia system. Get texts, email or calls to your smartphone, homephone or computer. Also, follow PhilaOEM on Twitter and Facebook.
- Be Smart. The National Weather Service says more deaths occur yearly due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. A CDC report shows that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. This is followed closely by flood-related deaths due to walking into or near flood waters. Six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. 12 inches of rushing water can carry away a small car. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles. Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
- Be Knowledgeable. Understand the difference between a flood watch and a flood warning. Each designation represents a different level of action to be taken. Flood or flash flood watch means flooding may occur. Stay alert and watch rivers and streams. Flood or flash flood warning is more serious and means there is actual flooding.