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The Eric Factor: The most dangerous type of severe weather

Warmer weather reminds us that severe weather season is almost upon us. The possibility of tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and flash floods ramps up in March, ...
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Warmer weather reminds us that severe weather season is almost upon us. The possibility of tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and flash floods ramps up in March, April, May, and June.

But here in the United States, tornadoes and severe storms aren’t the most common type of severe weather emergency. For comparison, 65 people died in Hurricane Andrew in 1992. In the last EF-5 tornado that affected Moore, Oklahoma in 2013, 24 people died.  According to the CDC, flash flooding is the leading cause of weather-related deaths with approximately 200 deaths in the United States each year.

Did you know? Tornado season moves from south to north each year.

The Eric Factor: The most dangerous type of severe weather

Sometimes water levels can go from a trickle to a raging torrent in minutes with little advanced warning. Fast moving water will undermine roads, collapse bridges, and even swamp cars and trucks! It takes less water than you think to float a car or truck. When the buoyancy force is greater than the vehicle weight, the vehicle will begin to float. If the water is moving quickly there will be no friction to keep it in one spot.

A statistic that need to change: Nearly half of all flood fatalities are vehicle-related.

 

Think ahead when it comes to flash flooding:

  • Review your current homeowners insurance policy and become familiar with what is and is not covered, as damage due to flooding is typically not covered.
  • Call your insurance agent to purchase flood insurance for your home (and business) and its contents.
  • Make a flood plan and plan evacuation routes.
  • Itemize and take pictures of possessions.
  • Keep valuable items and family heirlooms on the upper floors of your home or building
  • Inspect storm drains to make sure water can flow freely.
  • Participate in or organize a clean-up for area creeks. Fallen trees and rubbish slow down water flow, enhancing flash flood threat.

Still don’t think flash flooding is something you need to care about? Check out this video of a flash flood in Maine and what it does to the seemingly safe road. The road you may drive on hundreds of times each year could become extremely dangerous when flash flooding undermines the road surface.

Remain alert for flooding this Spring!

 

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