Flash flooding

Flash floods can quickly go from dangerous to deadly, and it's vital to understand the best safety practices to evade and escape your worst water nightmare. ABC News' Matt Gutman went to Adventure Sports Center International in Maryland to do a live demonstration where experts shared step-by-step life saving tactics, paramount to staying safe if a driver gets caught in a flash flood or a dangerous storm.(MORE: What to know about floodwater safety as torrential rain slams Houston area) On average, 94 people in the U.S. die every year in flood waters, according to the National Weather Service, and nearly half of those deaths occur in vehicles trying to cross submerged roads. Although a flooded road may look passable on the surface, Michael Berna, an instructor and trainer with Rescue 3 International told ABC News that due to unseen dips, "you can't tell the depth" of the stagnant water "until it's too late." Severity of 6-inch high flood water It takes a mere 6 inches of swift … [Read more...] about 3 life-saving tactics to use if in a car during a flash flood

Seven Western states are under flood or snow alerts as two storms combine in the Southwest. The biggest threat from this weather system will be flash flooding from Southern California to Arizona, Nevada and into southern Utah. On Tuesday afternoon, the southern storm will push tropical moisture into the Southwest, bringing heavy rain and likely flash flooding from San Diego to Phoenix to Tucson. Meanwhile, the northern storm system will spread snow into the northern Rockies.(MORE: 3 life-saving tactics to use if in a car during a flash flood) By Wednesday afternoon and evening, the two storms will combine into one large storm system that will stretch from the Plains into the Southwest, bringing snow to the Rockies and upper Midwest and heavy rain from San Diego to the Plains. This will be the first significant winter-like storm for Southern California and southern Nevada. Three inches of rain is possible in Arizona, which could cause flash flooding. One to two feet of snow is … [Read more...] about Winter storm set to bring heavy rain, flash flooding to Southwest

From the City of Redlands: The National Weather service warns another winter storm is expected to hit the Southern California region Tuesday, bringing heavy rainfall through Thursday, with the heaviest rainfall expected Wednesday. Flash flood warnings have been issued for the inland valleys. The City of Redlands Emergency Operations Office, Police, Fire and Quality of Life departments are taking the opportunity to remind residents and businesses of precautionary measures they can take to protect their own health, safety and property. While the City continues efforts to mitigate flooding, including regularly inspecting, repairing and cleaning the storm drain system and trimming trees along heavily traveled roads, significant rainfall can overwhelm the City's existing flood control system and cause localized flooding on City streets and in the Zanja and San Timoteo Canyon area. Residents are encouraged to take appropriate precautions to protect private property, including: Check rain … [Read more...] about Rain, Potential Flash Flood Warning for Inland Valleys

Widespread moderate to locally heavy rain is expected across Southern California through Wednesday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue flash flood watches for large portions of the region. A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that could lead to flash flooding.A cold low-pressure system arriving from the north will produce the first significant precipitation of the season as it moves directly over the Southland on Wednesday morning and Wednesday afternoon. Flash flood watches include the mountains, coast and valleys of San Diego County, as well as large parts of the Inland Empire.When the system is directly overhead, locally heavy cells could develop, resulting in heavy rain and flash flooding, according to the weather service. The highest risk of thunderstorms is from dawn through evening Wednesday, when instability is the greatest. The thunderstorm risk is highest close to the coast in San Diego County, but isolated thunderstorms could occur anywhere … [Read more...] about Season’s first significant rain brings flash flood watches to Southern California

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Latest on a powerful storm heading toward California (all times local): 8:30 p.m. The San Francisco Bay Area is under a flash-flood watch as a powerful storm begins dumping rain on the state. The National Weather Service issued a watch Friday evening through Saturday morning for the entire Bay Area and most of the Central Coast. Forecasters say the area could see an inch of rain an hour. Some hills could get up to 4 inches from the storm. Flood watches also have been issued for Southern California areas scarred by recent massive wildfires. Mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders also have been issued for residents near the Thomas, Whittier and Sherpa fire areas. Forecasters also predict gusting winds and high waves from the storm. The Sierra Nevada could see 6 to 10 feet of snow at some elevations. ___ 1:50 p.m. Santa Barbara County has ordered evacuations of areas near three wildfire burn scars as a major winter storm approaches California. Under the … [Read more...] about The Latest: San Francisco Bay Area under flood watch