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| March 18 - 22, 2013 |
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Many of us fear tornadoes and lightning, but what about water? It seems harmless since we drink water...swim and bathe in it. So why does water kill more than 70 people (10 year average) annually in this country? Because the power of water is underestimated. |
| In the picture: Weather fatalities (based on 10 year and 30 year averages) in the United States (courtesy of NOAA). |
| Water becomes deadly when flash flooding and flooding occur (during or shortly following a heavy rain event). |
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Some definitions...
Flash Flood: Usually occurs within 6 hours. The rate of rainfall exceeds the rate of runoff (rain falls faster than it can be carried away). Because water has nowhere to go, it covers roads and fills small streams and creeks.
Flood: Usually takes longer than 6 hours to unfold and can last for several days. Water from a flash flood event (or long-term heavy rain event) eventually makes its way into rivers...with excess water flowing into nearby towns, fields, etc.
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| In 2012, there were two (2) flood/flash flood related deaths in Arkansas...
Boyle Park in Little Rock (Pulaski Co.), March 21 - The body of a 46 year-old woman was found in Rock Creek, with the cause of her death being drowning. The circumstances of how she ended up in the creek were unknown, but she was apparently on foot at the time.
1.9 miles east of Saddle (Fulton Co.), March 24 - A 4 year-old boy drowned in the South Fork of the Spring River.
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| Arkansas Flood Related Deaths |
| 2000 |
0 |
| 2001 |
0 |
| 2002 |
2 |
| 2003 |
0 |
| 2004 |
2 |
| 2005 |
1 |
| 2006 |
3 |
| 2007 |
1 |
| 2008 |
6 |
| 2009 |
7 |
| 2010 |
22 |
| 2011 |
18 |
| 2012 |
2 |
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Nationwide, statistics show that more than 50% of flood/flash flood related deaths occur in automobiles. |
| In the picture: A car was washed off the road in southwest Scott County (western Arkansas) and was swept downstream (i.e. along Haws Creek) on 05/27/2002. The woman driving the car exited the vehicle (to try to get help) and drowned. |
| If flood waters are between you and your destination, the National Weather Service wants you to remember a simple slogan: "Turn Around Don't Drown" TM. |
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| The National Weather Service is so serious about flooding/flash flooding that it has created Flood Safety Awareness Week. |
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This week was designed to increase public awareness about high water and its dangers. Education is the key to understanding high water and to avoid becoming a statistic. |
| In the picture: Six to eight inches of rain rain caused the Little Missouri River to climb 20 feet in a just a few hours at the Albert Pike Recreation Area (Montgomery County) during the early morning hours of 06/11/2010. Twenty people drowned, making this the deadliest flood event in Arkansas recorded history. Click to enlarge. |
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For more on flood safety... there is a very useful website available. To go to the website, click here. |
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