# 5575
Today is day four of National Hurricane Preparedness Week, and the focus today is on inland flooding.
Although we automatically think of high winds and surge tides as the most immediate threats from hurricanes, slow moving tropical systems can dump 1 to 2 feet of rain on an area – often hundreds of miles inland – in a matter of a day or two.
On Sunday, I listed some of the major inland flooding events caused by hurricanes in my blog National Hurricane Preparedness Week 2011.
Here is today’s NHC public service announcement video.
From NOAA’s Inland Flooding page:
What can you do?
- When you hear hurricane, think inland flooding.
- Determine whether you live in a potential flood zone.
- If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Keep abreast of road conditions through the news media.
- Move to a safe area before access is cut off by flood water.
- Do not attempt to cross flowing water. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
- Develop a flood emergency action plan.
- Have flood insurance. Flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance. Do not make assumptions. Check your policy.
You don’t have to live on, or even near, the coast to be affected by a tropical system, as you can see by the tracks of some notable storms described on the National Hurricane Center’s Tropical History page.
Hurricane Week continues through Saturday.
Now . . before the tropics heat up, is the time to make your preparations for this year’s season.
