National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

 

Flood Safety: Before, During & After the Storm

 

       

                       Photo by Roger Edwards                                                Aerial View of 12/29/15 Flooding of I-70 near Bond County, IL
 

 

…FLOOD SAFETY…

  • The most dangerous type of flooding is FLASH FLOODING. Most smart phones will AUTOMATICALLY receive Flash Flood Warnings from the NWS for the area you are in - even if  you are travelling.
  • NEVER attempt to DRIVE on a flooded road - ESPECIALLY if the
    water is flowing
  • Flash floods can develop in urban areas as well as rural locations
  • Flash floods typically form when excessive amounts of rain occur in a short period of time - usually an average of 1.00 to 2.00" of rain or more in less than 2 hours, depending on how moist the ground is.
  • Flash floods are more frequent at night in Illinois, when it is especially hard to judge the depth of the water
  • Flooding has been a factor in 50 deaths across Illinois since 1995, including one already in 2018. This is more than the number of people killed by tornadoes during the same period.