Flood Safety Awareness Week

March 18-22, 2013 is Flood Safety Awareness Week across the United States. The National Weather Service and other supporting organizations ask your help in spreading the word about flood safety. Flooding is a coast to coast threat to the United States and its territories in all months of the year. National Flood Safety Awareness Week is intended to highlight some of the many ways floods can occur, the hazards associated with floods, and what you can do to save life and property. Flooding can occur in many different forms, from flash flooding to river flooding to inland flooding from a tropical system. Prior planning and education will help to mitigate the disastrous effects from flooding.

Flooding occurred in March 2011 when Tallahala Creek overtopped its banks near Laurel. This flooded nearby communities(left).  During Spring 2011, the Mississippi River saw record flooding at many forecast points, with some seeing historic levels that had not been topped in greater than 80 years(center). The flooding lasted for several weeks before finally subsiding in the late spring. Inland flooding from Tropical Storm Lee in September 2011 left roads impassable in southern Madison County(right, image courtesy of Jim Albritton).

Flood watches and warnings are ineffective if the public does not receive the message or is not knowledgeable of the safety procedures to follow. The purpose of Flood Safety Awareness Week is to provide people with the knowledge necessary to protect their lives when flooding occurs.

2013 Flood Safety Awareness Week Booklet

Click on the image at right to access the 2013 Flood Safety Awareness Week booklet, created by NWS Jackson. Flood Safety Awareness Week Brochure

 

  Flood Safety Awareness Week Schedule
Monday, March 18th
 Flood Safety and Awareness
Tuesday, March 19th
 Types of floods
Wednesday, March 20th
 Turn Around, Don't Drown
Thursday, March 21st
Flood Insurance
Friday, March 22nd
 AHPS and Partner Services

Additional Information

Here are a some links to helpful information:

National Flood Safety Awareness Week

NOAA Weather Radio

National AHPS

Jackson Hydrologic Service Area AHPS

NWS Jackson Hydrology Page

Floods: The Awesome Power

You are also invited to contact the National Weather Service for interviews, information, or answers to any questions you may have. In many instances, we are also able to present flood awareness programs to civic and industrial organizations, schools, amateur radio clubs, and hospital staffs.

For more information, contact:

  • Marty Pope, Service Hydrologist 
    National Weather Service Office Jackson, MS
    601-965-4638 ext 228
 
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