What is a flash flood
- In many areas, unusually heavy rains or dam failure may cause quick or "flash" floods.
- Small creeks, gullies, dry stream beds, ravines, culverts, or even low-lying ground frequently flood quickly and endanger people often before any warning can be given.
- Examples of flash floods
- Rapid City, 1972
- Big Thompson Canyon, 1976
- Fort Collins, 1997
- Manitou Springs and La Junta, 1999
- Dam Failure
- Lawn Lake Dam (Estes Park), 1982
Never attempt to outrun a flood in your vehicle
- Abandon the vehicle and climb to safety.
- If you are in a canyon, attempt to reach high ground by climbing directly up the canyon sides.
Abandon stalled vehicles in flooded areas if you can do so safely
- Abandon Stalled Vehicles in Flooded Areas if you can do so safely.
- Flood waters may rise and sweep the vehicle and occupants away.
- Many deaths have resulted from attempts to either outrun a flood or to move a stalled vehicle.
Never try to drive through flooded areas
- Remember that it only takes 18 to 24 inches of moving water to move an auto.
- If an area is flooded, take an alternate route to reach your destination.
- The depth of the flood waters will be unknown, the road may be undermined and a current may exist which could sweep your vehicle away.
- Many deaths have occurred by people trying to drive through flooded areas.
Turn around, don't drown
- Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water.
- The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters.
- People underestimate the force and power of water.
- Many of the deaths occur in cars swept downstream.
- Many of these drownings are preventable.
- Never drive around the barriers blocking a flooded road.
- The road may have collapsed under that water.
- A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.
- It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks.
- It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters.
People with disabilities
