Day 1 of Flood Awareness Week - Flood Safety, Preparedness, and Awareness

The National Weather Service (NWS) has declared March 13 through March 17 as Flood Safety Awareness Week. The National Weather Service in La Crosse will feature information about a different flood topic each day during the awareness week.

Today's topic: Flood Safety - Preparedness and Awareness

Nearly every day, flooding happens somewhere in the United States or its territories. Flooding can occur in any of the fifty states or U.S. territories at any time of the year. It causes more damage in the United States than any other weather related event. On average, floods cause eight billion dollars in damages and eighty nine fatalities annually. Being prepared and knowing how to stay safe will help you and your loved ones survive a flood.

Prepare:
Knowing your flood risk is the best way to prepare for flooding. Find out which flooding hazards impact your state at www.floodsafety.noaa.gov/map.shtml. You can also find out if you live in a flood plain by visiting our partners at FEMA at https://msc.fema.gov. There are many tips for what to do before, during and after a flood on our newly redesigned Flood Safety Website at www.floodsafety.noaa.gov.

Be Aware:
Find the latest forecasts and hazardous weather conditions at weather.gov and water.weather.gov. Forecasters in NWS offices work around the clock to ensure watches, warnings and advisories are issued to alert the public to hazardous conditions. The same information is available on your mobile device at https://mobile.weather.gov. Some smart phones are able to receive Flash Flood Warning alerts via the Wireless Emergency Alerts system. Visit www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/wea.html for more information!

Another tool to alert you to hazardous conditions is NOAA All Hazards Radio. This nationwide network of radio stations broadcasts continuous weather, river and other emergency information direct from NWS offices and emergency officials. For more information, visit www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/

Stay safe during a flood by knowing your risk and where to get the latest forecast and hazard information. Be a Force of Nature! www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/force.html

Join us tomorrow for information on the NWS Turn Around Don’t Drown program.