Floods are one of the most common hazards in the United States. Flood effects can be local, impacting a neighborhood or community, or very large, affecting entire river basins and multiple states.

However, not all floods are alike. While some floods develop slowly, sometimes over a period of days, flash floods develop quickly, sometimes in just a few minutes and without any visible signs of rain.

A flood is defined as an excess of water or mud on land that is normally dry. A flood is a condition that occurs when water overflows the artificial or natural boundaries of a stream, river, or other body of water onto normally dry land. Floods often happen due to heavy rainfall or thawing snow.

Turn Around Don’t Drown, TADD for short, is a NOAA National Weather Service campaign used to educate people about the hazards of walking or driving a vehicle through flood waters.

Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult and it only takes twelve to eighteen inches of flowing water to carry away most vehicles including large SUV’s. If you come to an area that is covered with water, you will likely not know the depth of the water or the condition of the ground under the water. This is especially true at night when your vision is more limited. Play it smart, play it safe. Whether driving or walking, any time you come to a flooded road, walkway or path, follow this simple rule: Turn Around Don’t Drown

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Prepare Your Family

Being prepared for disasters starts at home. Everyone can be part of helping to prepare for emergencies. Young children and teens alike can be a part of the process. As a parent, guardian, or other family member, you have an important role to play when it comes to protecting the children in your life and helping them be prepared in case disaster strikes.

On this page, you’ll find materials to build your family emergency plan, information for how you can help children cope if they’ve experienced a disaster, and tips to help your children be ready when disaster strikes. With these tools, both kids and their families can be prepared whether they’re at home, school, or anywhere else.

Click here for information on how to prepare your family for disasters.

Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over warm ocean waters and move toward land. Potential threats from hurricanes include powerful winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, tornadoes, and landslides. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The Pacific hurricane season runs May 15 to November 30. Hurricanes:

• Can happen along any U.S. coast or in any territory in the Atlantic or Pacific oceans.
• Can affect areas more than 100 miles inland.
• Are most active in September.

Click here for more information on hurricanes.

 For more information, please visit the following websites:

12 Ways to Prepare

Create Your Family Emergency Communication Plan

Know Your Alerts and Warnings

Document and INSURE your property

Safeguard Critical Documents and Valuables

Build a kit

Prepare your Pets for Disasters

Preparing Makes Sense for People with Disabilities and Special Needs

www.floodsmart.gov

www.fema.gov

State Library of Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Information