Monsoon Awareness Week: Flash Floods

Every year, weather dangers affect the Borderland during late spring and summer. In preparation for “The Monsoon” this week The National Weather Service El Paso has teamed up with the StormTrack Weather Team to discuss safety tips for staying safe during the Borderland’s monsoon season.

The time period from June 15th through September 30th has been defined as “The Monsoon.” A period of extreme heat which is followed by an influx of moisture leading to daily rounds of thunderstorms. According to the National Weather Service, flash floods are usually characterized by raging torrents after heavy rains that rip through river beds, urban streets, or mountain canyons sweeping everything before them. They can occur within minutes or a few hours of excessive rainfall. Always listen to the StormTRACK Weather team for up-to-the-minute weather updates. You should avoid driving, except in emergencies of course.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. It’s always a good idea to know the flood area

Flash Flood Safety Tips:

Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!

Just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

Stay off of bridges over fast-moving water.

Evacuate if told to do so.

Move to higher ground or a higher floor.

Stay where you are.

Source: https://www.ready.gov/floods

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