10 Uncommon Facts about Floods That You Should Know
Ara
Jay M. Ong
Summer
is officially over as typhoon and endless outpour of rain comes knocking at our
doors. We are all very familiar with what comes next after those things—flood.
There are endless list of things to do and not to do during floods and you
might think you heard them all, but here are some important facts that are not
so often mentioned that might save you a lot of hassle and even your life
during this season.
A car can be taken
away in as little as 2 feet of water
If
you own a car and it’s raining heavy or there is a flood watch around your
place, you better secure your vehicle. Floods are very powerful and definitely doesn't discriminate and care about car brands. Secure your vehicle, move it to
a higher lot or tie it on something firm. It would also be helpful to find ways
to cover it to prevent water from getting inside it.
Flash floods carry
water as high as 10-20 feet
Flash
floods are different from ordinary floods. Flash floods occur within 6 hours
following the end of a causative event. It can develop and occur anywhere water
can collect like areas of steep terrain. Flash floods can last for many hours
even until 12 hours.
Just 6 inches of
rapidly moving flood water can make a person fall down
Don’t
wonder around during a flood. If you cannot avoid walking then stay out of
moving water, it is very dangerous and can knock you off your feet in seconds,
and you don’t want that during a flooding.
Flood watch is
different from flood warning different
A
watch means flooding is possible. A warning means flooding is occurring or will
occur soon. Keep listening to your radios about warnings and announcements.
Stay alert.
Mind the appliances
If
there is a big possibility of flood, don’t wait for it to happen and turn off
the main switch in your house. But if you are caught by surprise and wasn’t
able to turn the electricity off, stay away from electrical appliances during
the flood. Chances of electrocution are high.
Running can kill
you
If
you are already in a flood and the water is not still don’t run. A study showed
that 95% of people are killed by flood for trying to run faster than the water.
There is no use in playing sprint with water; the right way to secure your self
is to find higher ground. Do not run in running water.
Stay out of your
car
During
a flood it is best to get out of your vehicle. If you are stuck in traffic and
flood or flash flood is coming, you better get out of your vehicle. Your life
is more precious than your car. If you are trapped inside a car, even with a
few inches of water, it would be impossible to open your door. So when you
still can, get out. However, if you are really trapped break the windshield or
the door glass. It can be really hard, so better be prepared for the rainy days
and have tools ready in your car, those of course you can easily reach during
floods, and not the ones in the trunk.
Preparedness and
alertness is everything
People
usually don’t pay much attention in preparation, when the truth is, preparation
is everything. Floods are getting more common than ever, so it’s time to wake
up to reality and plan. It’s not corny or weird to make plans even if it’s a
dry season. Communicate with your family members, know your surroundings, keep
informed, prepare kits, bags and escape plans. Being branded as a doomsday
prepper is not fatal, a flood can be.
No one is really
that safe from flooding
There
are very few places in the world that are safe from flooding, logically,
anywhere that there is rain can be flooded. It is true that rain is not the
only factor about flooding however; there are also handful kinds of flood that
involves surroundings and even human error.
Most floods are man
made
True,
and probably you've observed too. Remember those days when flood can’t reach
your doorstep? And now they do. What changed? People usually make small or big
decision without thinking of the consequences thoroughly. People ought to
realize that with every action there is a reaction. Our surrounding or nature
is not to blame; they are only reacting to what we are doing. Stop littering,
stop constructing objects that blocks water flow, stop overcrowding, stop
deforestation and start learning to live with nature.
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