Flooding is a coast to coast threat to the United States and its territories nearly every day of the year. We are especially aware of this here in Central Texas. If you know what to do before, during, and after a flood you can increase your chances of survival.
The website ATXfloods.com shows where low water crossings are closed throughout the Central Texas region.
Basic Flood Safety Tips
- Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
- Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters.
- Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away.
- If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground. Flash floods are the #1 cause of weather-related deaths in the US.
- If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.
- Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly with little warning.
Turn Around Don't Drown
The Difference Between a Watch, Warning, and Advisory
- Flash Flood Watch:Â Issued generally when there is the possibility of flash flooding or urban flooding over an area within the next 36 hours.
- Flash Flood Warning:Â Issued when flash flooding is imminent, generally within the next 1 to 3 hours. Usually issued based on observed heavy rainfall (measured or radar estimated), but may also be issued for significant dam breaks that have occurred or are imminent.
- Flood Watch:Â Issued when there is the possibility of widespread general flooding over an area within the next 36 hours.
- Flood Warning for River Forecast Point: Issued when a river gauge has exceeded, or is forecast to exceed, a predetermined flood stage.
- Flood Advisory:Â Issued when flooding is imminent or occurring, generally within the next 1 to 3 hours, but is not expected to substantially threaten life and property.
Sign up to Receive Emergency Alerts
Registering with WarnCentralTexas allows emergency personnel in your local community to directly contact you by phone, text or email during a disaster or public safety event. Using WarnCentralTexas, emergency response teams can warn residents about dangerous conditions and situations as events unfold. They can quickly give specific directions that affect your neighborhood such as evacuation orders and directions to shelters.
The Capital Area Council of Governments has partnered with communities in Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, Travis and Williamson counties to bring residents and visitors WarnCentralTexas, an emergency alert system that can save lives and protect property during disasters.
Residents must register cellphone numbers and email addresses to get alerts sent to their mobile devices. CAPCOG has already registered landline phones.
Protect your family, property and self. Click here to sign up for emergency warnings in your neighborhood by voice, text, or email.
Make a Disaster Preparedness Kit
Learn more about what kind of household items you should have ready in your disaster preparedness kit if an emergency occurs.
