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Summer 2018: Flood Social Media

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Social Media: Flood Safety
#WeatherReady #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

 

Please help the NWS spread these important safety messages on social media! Everyone is welcome to use the text and images provided below to help the NWS build a Weather-Ready Nation.

Survivor Story: Flood

Facebook
"I would have surely lost the vehicle and maybe our lives...just saying 'Turn Around Don't Drown' saved life and property."
You never know how deep the water is. weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown #FloodSafety

Twitter
"I would have surely lost the vehicle and maybe our lives...just saying 'Turn Around Don't Drown' saved life and property."
You never know how deep the water is. weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown #FloodSafety

I was driving a half-ton 4x4 which provides some comfort about not getting stuck in the mud. As I drove down the dirt road, I came across a low-water cement bridge. The bridge was completely covered in water, but not deep. I made a critical decision to turn around and drive the long way around to another highway. The next morning the water had receded and there was a huge hole — the water had washed away the dirt where the road met the cement. I would have surely lost the vehicle and maybe our lives…just saying “Turn Around and Don’t Drown” saved life and property. -- Julie, Nashville, TN, 2018 

 

Stay Out of Floodwaters

Facebook
Play in the pool, not in floodwaters! Floodwaters can contain harmful chemicals and objects that could harm you or make you sick. #FloodSafety http://www.noaa.gov/resource-collections/watersheds-flooding-pollution

Twitter
Floodwaters can contain chemicals or objects that could harm you or make you sick. #FloodSafety http://www.noaa.gov/resource-collections/watersheds-flooding-pollution

Play in the Pool, Not in Floodwaters! Floodwaters can contain chemicals, sewage, and disease. Unseen underwater debris can be sharp and cause injury. Water depth can change unexpectedly (storm drains, washed-out roads)

 

Flash Floods and Rain

Facebook
Heavy rainfall always brings a danger of flash flooding, but sometimes even light/moderate rainfall can trigger dangerous floods. Dry stream beds can become raging torrents in minutes with no rain in sight! Stay safe from floodwaters and learn more at http://www.weather.gov/media/wrn/floods_booklet.pdf#page=3

Twitter
Get swept away and learn about the awesome power of floods at http://www.weather.gov/media/wrn/floods_booklet.pdf#page=3 #FloodSafety

How Much Rain Can Cause Flash Flooding in Your Area? Even a little rain can cause a lot of flash flooding. Dry stream beds can become raging torrents in minutes with no rain in sight!

 

Flood Warning vs. Watch

Facebook
A flood WARNING means TAKE ACTION. A flood WATCH means BE PREPARED. When a Warning occurs, it means flooding is imminent or already occurring. When a Flood Watch is in effect, it means flooding is possible in your area. weather.gov/safety/flood-watch-warning #SummerSafety #FloodSafety

Twitter
Warning means TAKE ACTION. Watch means BE PREPARED. weather.gov/safety/flood-watch-warning #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

Flood Warning: A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is happening or will happen soon. Move to higher ground. Never drive through flooded roads. Flood Watch: A Flood Watch is issued when flooding is possible. Stay tuned to radio/TV, follow weather.gov and be ready to seek higher ground. Learn more at weather.gov/flood 

 

3 Steps for Flash Floods

Facebook
During a flood, water levels and the rate at which the water is flowing can quickly change. Get to higher ground. Do not drive or walk into water. It only takes 6 inches of water to knock you off your feet. Stay informed by monitoring local radio and television for updates. weather.gov/flood #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

Twitter
During a flood, water levels and the rate at which the water is flowing can quickly change. weather.gov/flood #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

3 Steps for Flash Floods: 1. Get to higher ground (get out of the areas subject to flooding). 2. Do not drive into water (do NOT drive or walk into flooded areas. It only takes 6 inches of water to knock you off your feet). 3. Stay informed: Monitor local radar, television, weather radio, internet or social media for updates. During a flood, water levels and the rate at which the water is flowing can quickly change. Remain aware and monitor local radio and television. WHEN FLOODED TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN

 

Driving Around Barricades

Facebook
NEVER drive around barricades into floodwaters! More than 50% of all flood fatalities are vehicle-related. It only takes 12 inches of fast-moving water to carry off a small car and 18 inches of water to sweep a larger vehicle away. Turn Around Don’t Drown! weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

Twitter
Half of all flood fatalities are vehicle-related. Turn Around Don’t Drown! weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

Never Drive Around Barricades. Most flood fatalities occur in vehicles. 12 inches of fast-moving water can sweep a car off the road.

 

Infographic - Power of Water

Facebook
Don’t underestimate the power of water. It only takes 6 inches of fast-moving water to knock over and carry away an adult, 12 inches to carry away a car, and 18-24 inches to carry away most large SUVs, vans and trucks. Turn Around Don’t Drown! weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

Twitter
Don’t underestimate the power of water. Turn Around Don’t Drown! weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

Don't underestimate the power of water! 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock over and carry away an adult. 12 inches of fast-moving water can carry away a small car. 18-24 inches of fast-moving water can carry away most large SUVs, vans and trucks. 

 

Infographic - How Deep Is the Water?

Facebook
NEVER drive or walk into floodwaters.  It is impossible to know how deep the water is just by looking at it. Turn Around Don’t Drown! weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

Twitter
It is impossible to know how deep the water is just by looking at it. Turn Around Don’t Drown! weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown #FloodSafety

Do you really know how deep the water is? 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock over and carry away an adult. 12 inches of fast-moving water can carry away a small car. 18-24 inches of fast-moving water can carry away most large SUVs, vans and trucks.

 

Turn Around Don’t Drown Video

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Driving into floodwaters could be the last decision you ever make. Turn Around Don’t Drown! https://youtu.be/eI6mIlHKrVY #FloodSafety #SpringSafety

Twitter
Driving into floodwaters could be the last decision you ever make. Turn Around Don’t Drown! https://youtu.be/eI6mIlHKrVY #FloodSafety

Turn Around Don't Drown Video

 

Flood Watch

Facebook
A Flood Watch means BE PREPARED. When a Flood Watch is in effect, it means flooding is possible in your area. During a Flood Watch, check the forecast regularly, and be prepared to move to higher ground. weather.gov/safety/flood-watch-warning #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

Twitter
A Flood Watch means BE PREPARED. weather.gov/safety/flood-watch-warning #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

Flood Watch means be prepared! Flooding is possible. Check for forecast updates. Be prepared to move to higher ground. Stay weather-ready 

 

Flood Warning

Facebook
A Flood Warning means TAKE ACTION NOW! When a Flood Warning is issued, it means flooding is imminent or already occurring. Move to higher ground immediately, and use extra caution if driving. weather.gov/safety/flood-watch-warning #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

Twitter
A Flood Warning means TAKE ACTION NOW! weather.gov/safety/flood-watch-warning #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

Flood Warning means take action now! Flooding is expected. Use extra cuation when driving. Move to higher ground immediately. Check for forecast updates. Stay weather-ready

 

Hiking or Camping

Facebook 
Are you planning to camp or hike near a stream or river? Remember that it doesn’t have to rain directly over you for there to be flooding. If you notice even a slight rise in water level, seek higher ground immediately! weather.gov/safety/flood-during #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

Twitter
Thunderstorms far away can cause flooding downstream. weather.gov/safety/flood-during #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

Beware of floods when going camping.

 

Driving through Floodwaters

Facebook
More than 50% of all flood fatalities are vehicle-related. You never know how deep the water is or if the road has been washed away or compromised beneath the water. Don’t risk driving into floodwaters. Turn Around Don’t Drown! weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

Twitter
More than half of all flood fatalities are vehicle-related. Turn Around Don’t Drown! weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

Never drive through floodwaters. Most flood fatalities occur in vehicles. 12 inches of water can sweep a car off the road.

 

Flooding - Prepare

Facebook
Flooding can occur during any time of the year. As a result, it’s always best to be prepared! To learn more about flooding and how you can prepare before it happens, visit weather.gov/flood. #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

Twitter
Flooding can occur anytime of the year. Be prepared, visit weather.gov/flood #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

Prepare for flooding before it happens. Are you located in a floodplain? What is the fastest way to higher ground? What roads nearby are most likely to flood?

 

Debris Flows

Facebook
Debris flows often happen in areas where excessive rain causes soil to become so saturated it turns into very runny mud. The mud then races downhill, picking up debris such as fallen branches, tree trunks and rocks as it goes. Debris flows can bury homes under piles of mud and debris. Know the risks of the area where you live, so you can prepare your family and home before heavy rains threaten your area. weather.gov/safety/flood-hazards #FloodSafety #SummerSafety photo:FEMA

Twitter
Debris flows can bury homes under a pile of mud and debris. Learn more: weather.gov/safety/flood-hazards (photo: @fema)

Heavy rain can cause debris flows. Debris flows occur when heavy rain causes the soil to give way and slide downhill. Homes in the path can be completely destroyed.

 

Burn Scars

Facebook
If you live, work or are spending recreational time outside near an area recently affected by a wildfire, keep in mind that it will not take much rainfall to cause flooding. Land that was recently burned by a wildfire is called a “burn scar”, and when rain falls over a burn scar, the ground is unable to absorb much of the water, which often results in flash flooding.
weather.gov/safety/flood-hazards #FloodSafety #SummerSafety photo:FEMA

Twitter
Land burned by wildfire is at risk for flash flooding. weather.gov/safety/flood-hazards #FloodSafety (photo: @fema)

Burn scars are a flood risk. Rapid rainfall runoff over burned areas can cause flash flooding. Stay weather-ready if you are in or near an area affected by a wildfire.

 

Walking Into Floodwaters

Facebook
Six inches of swiftly moving water can knock an adult off his or her feet. Turn Around Don’t Drown! weather.gov/flood #FloodSafety #SpringSafety

Twitter
Six inches of swiftly moving water can knock an adult off his or her feet. Turn Around Don’t Drown! weather.gov/flood #FloodSafety #SpringSafety

Never walk into floodwaters. It only takes 6 inches of moving water to knock an adult off his or her feet.

 

Putting Your Life and Your Rescuer’s Life at Risk

Facebook
When you drive into floodwaters, you’re not only putting your own life at risk, but also the lives of your rescuers. It’s far better to be late to work or to an appointment and remain safe, than to take a risk and possibly lose your life. Turn Around Don’t Drown! weather.gov/flood #FloodSafety #SummerSafety photo: FEMA

Twitter
You are putting your rescuers’ life at risk when you drive into floodwaters. weather.gov/flood #FloodSafety #SummerSafety (photo: @fema)

Driving into flood waters also puts rescuers' lives at risk. Turn Around Don't Drown.

 

Types of Flooding in Your State

Facebook
It's important to know what kind of flooding you can expect in your area so that you know how to prepare. Visit weather.gov/safety/flood-map to find out what kind of flooding could impact your home! #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

Twitter
Know what kind of flooding you can expect in your area. weather.gov/safety/flood-map #FloodSafety #SummerSafety

Learn about flooding in your state. What kind of flooding can you expect? Find out at weather.gov/floodsafety

 

Create a Communications Plan

Facebook
Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes so it is important to plan in advance. How will you get to a safe place? How will you contact one another? How and where will you get back together? What will you do in different situations? To find out how, visit https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan #FloodSafety #SummerSafety Photo: FEMA

Twitter
How will you stay in touch during a disaster? Make a plan! https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan #FloodSafety #SummerSafety(photo @fema)

Make a communications plan. Find out how at ready.gov/make-a-plan