FLASH FLOOD Disaster Ready Austin WHATS A FLASH

FLASH FLOOD Disaster Ready Austin

WHAT’S A FLASH FLOOD • Caused by intense rainfall • Sudden, violent flood that can quickly develop • Austin’s top natural disaster threat Disaster Ready Austin

FLASH FLOOD ALLEY Disaster Ready Austin

FLOODED ROADS • One to two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles. • Three out of four flooding deaths occur when people are in vehicles. Disaster Ready Austin

Disaster Ready Austin

ATXFLOODS. COM Disaster Ready Austin

HOME SAFETY • Flash floods can cause severe, and long-term damage to homes and stores. • • • Lost documents Wall damage Mold Carpet Sewage backup Structural damage Disaster Ready Austin

FLOODSMART. GOV Homeowners and renters insurance typically: • • DO NOT cover flooding DO NOT cover sewage backup Protect your home and property by purchasing a flood insurance policy and sewage policy separately through local insurance agent before floods occur. Disaster Ready Austin

ATXFLOODPRO. COM Disaster Ready Austin

MOBILE ALERTS ATXFLOODS. COM/ALERTAS Be notified of Austin's first road closure during a storm by text and/or email. Disaster Ready Austin

“ 100 -YEAR FLOODPLAIN” • 25 -year floodplain = 4% chance every year • 50 -year floodplain = 2% chance every year • 100 -year floodplain = 1% chance every year Disaster Ready Austin

ADVISORY: BE AWARE • Issued by NWS when a specific weather event that is forecast to occur may become a nuisance. • If caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property. • Issued when heavy rain will cause flooding of streets and low-lying places in urban areas. Disaster Ready Austin

WATCH: BE PREPARED Issued by NWS when conditions are favorable for flash flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible. • • • Check flood action plans Charge cell phones Check weather radio Monitor social media/TV news Be ready to take action on plans Disaster Ready Austin

WARNING: TAKE ACTION • Issued by NWS when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. • It is possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain. • In the past, warnings were issued for entire counties. Since 2007, the NWS began issuing warnings in local areas, intended to warn only the locations and people inside the neighborhoods. Disaster Ready Austin

FLOOD EMERGENCY : SHELTER IN PLACE • Issued by NWS when life threatening flooding threatens populated area, and/or • Multiple swift water rescues are taking place in multiple areas • Water levels risen rapidly to levels rarely seen • Note: Flash Flood Emergency Warning issued only twice in recent history, during Oct. 2013 & May 2015. Disaster Ready Austin

ESCALATING SCENARIO Flash Flood Watch or Advisory Issued • Check your kit, install fresh batteries, charge electronics • Monitor news, social media and weather radio Flash Flood Warning Issued • Identify warning area, if in area: • Prepare to shelter in place • Monitor ATXFloods. com and local media • Prepare to text information family and neighbors Flash Flood Emergency Warning Issued • Shelter in place, wait for rescue or evacuation escorts Disaster Ready Austin

Disaster Ready Austin is a collaborative initiative to educate and empower residents to be prepared for emergencies and disasters. The Disaster Ready Austin vision is a unified and consistent “whole community” approach to disaster preparedness education in the City of Austin. Visit Austin. Texas. gov/Disaster. Ready. Austin for more. Disaster Ready Austin