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PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
1019 AM CST TUE FEB 18 2020
..LOUISIANA SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK - FLASH FLOOD SAFETY
FLASH FLOODING IS THE NUMBER 1 WEATHER-RELATED KILLER IN THE UNITED
STATES.
FEW PEOPLE REALIZE THE TRUE POWER OF WATER. RAPIDLY MOVING FLOOD
WATERS ONLY SIX INCHES DEEP CAN KNOCK AN ADULT OFF THEIR FEET. TWO
FEET OF WATER CAN LIFT APPROXIMATELY 3000 POUNDS, WHICH IS THE
WEIGHT OF AN AVERAGE SIZED VEHICLE. VEHICLES CROSSING A FLOODED
ROADWAY CAN LOSE TRACTION WITH THE ROAD, ACTUALLY FLOATING IN SOME
CASES. IN SOME CASES, WATER CAN ERODE THE EARTH UNDERNEATH A ROAD,
CAUSING IT TO WASH OUT. IF A VEHICLE BECOMES OVERTURNED, IT CAN
FILL WITH WATER, ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF ITS OCCUPANTS. FLASH
FLOOD STATISTICS INDICATE THAT HALF OF THE ANNUAL FLOOD RELATED
FATALITIES ARE VEHICLE RELATED.
SO HOW CAN WE STAY SAFE FROM THE DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH FLASH
FLOODING?
AVOID LOW LYING AREAS THAT ARE PRONE TO FLOODING. DO NOT CAMP OR
PARK YOUR VEHICLE ALONG STREAMS AND WASHES. IF YOUR VEHICLE IS
SUDDENLY CAUGHT IN RISING WATER, LEAVE IT IMMEDIATELY AND MOVE TO
HIGHER GROUND.
BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS MORE DIFFICULT TO
RECOGNIZE THE DANGERS OF FLASH FLOODING.
FINALLY, NEVER ATTEMPT TO CROSS AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD.
REMEMBER THE FIRST SAFETY RULE OF FLASH FLOODING, TURN AROUND, DON'T
DROWN!
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