Flood Safety Trivia

Floods are among the most common natural disasters, and they're deceptively dangerous because the water itself often looks calmer than it behaves. A shockingly small depth of moving water can topple a person or float a car, which is why so much public safety messaging boils down to one idea: respect the water and don't take chances with it.

Reading the Warnings

Weather agencies use specific terms to communicate urgency, and knowing the difference matters. A flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding to develop, while a flood warning means it's either already happening or about to. Flash flood warnings demand the fastest response of all, since flash floods can develop within minutes in low-lying areas, alongside rivers, or near storm drains.

Small Numbers, Big Danger

Safety officials often repeat a couple of memorable figures for a reason.

• Around six inches of fast-moving water can sweep an adult off their feet.
• About a foot of water can float and carry away a passenger vehicle.
• Standing water can hide washed-out roads, debris, and downed power lines.

That's the logic behind the well-known slogan "Turn Around, Don't Drown," a reminder that outrunning a flood in a car is rarely worth the gamble, and that higher ground is almost always the better bet.