Flood Awareness Week begins in Texas

Flood Awareness Week begins with severe weather in the forecast

BY Chief Meteorologist Burton Fitzsimmons and Craig Huber Texas

PUBLISHED 11:14 AM CT May 23, 2022 PUBLISHED 11:14 AM CDT May 23, 2022

TEXAS — Monday begins Flood Awareness Week in Texas, and with the forecast calling for severe weather, flooding is not out of the question this week.

Flooding is the No. 1 storm-related killer in Texas and also one of the most avoidable. Heavy rain can create ponding on roadways, especially on low-level interstates and at low-water crossings, creating dangerous situations.

It's Flood Awareness Week in Texas, and we know all too well, our state is no stranger to flood. This week, learn about #txflood awareness from communities & organizations across the state. ➡️ Visit https://t.co/f0LM90oJIc to learn what to do before, during, and after a flood. pic.twitter.com/baCUZiMLzX
— TX Water Dev Board (@twdb) May 23, 2022

Flooding of rivers, lakes and other waterways takes a while to develop but the worst kind happens in a very short amount of time following a heavy deluge of rain, what we call flash flooding.

During a flash flood, water levels rise several inches or even feet in a very short amount of time, minutes, not unlike a tidal wave or tsunami.

While they can occur any time of year, day or night, flash floods most frequently disrupt our lives during the spring storm season.

Some of the worst flash flooding in the country historically happens in Texas in what we call Flash Flood Alley, an area from San Antonio to Dallas along and west of the I-35 corridor.

Why here? The combination of heavy rain events and impermeable limestone, along with hilly terrain and increased urbanization, means water from downpours can run off and channel faster than absorption into the ground. That turns dry creeks into what look like rivers, for example, with little notice.

Preparedness tips

Get familiar with the waterways around you. Take note of the streams, creeks, rivers you travel near and across during your normal routine – the closest might be in your own backyard. Keep in mind, some of these waterways might be dry except during rain events.
Take special note of any low water crossings, and know alternate routes around these potentially dangerous intersections of road and water.
If you live in a low-lying or flood-prone area, make sure your family has a plan to get to high ground and into a safe shelter should water levels rise.
During a flood event, avoid travel especially at night when it’s hardest to see where roads could be flooded. It’s a fact: during floods, more people die in cars than anywhere else.
Never drive through water when it is flowing over roadways – turn around, don’t drown! A foot of moving water can sweep a car off the road, and a person can be swept off their feet in as little as six inches.
Find out the elevation of your home, and evaluate whether or not your property needs flood insurance. Keep in mind, new development and construction can change the floodplain.

Flood alerts to be aware of:

Flood Watch: Conditions are favorable for flooding to occur in the watch area. Keep an eye on the weather, and watch for rising water.
Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or imminent. Do not drive in the warning area. Stay indoors and on high ground. Stay back from fast-flowing waterways.

Be sure you have a reliable way to get weather alerts should they be issued for your area, including the Spectrum News app.