Iowa Homeland Security, Emergency Management Division, and The National Weather Service have designated the last week in March as Severe Weather Awareness Week.

With everyone focusing on tornado drills, it’s important we also remember that flash flooding is a major concern in Iowa. Some floods develop slowly, but flash floods can develop in just a few minutes without any rain. A flash flood is a rapid rise of water along a stream or low-lying urban area and residents should know if their neighborhood is at risk for flooding and be alert to the possibility of a flood.

Water can erode roadways and create unsafe driving conditions. Almost half of all flash flood fatalities occur in vehicles. Stuart Fire Department Chief Gary Fox points out that many people don’t realize that two feet of water on a bridge or highway can float most vehicles and if the water is moving rapidly, the car, truck or suv you’re driving can be swept off the roadway into the stream.  Chief Fox warns all drivers to turn around – don’t drown.

The National Weather Service has information available on their website concerning severe weather and preparedness at www.nws.noaa.gov