Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with flash flood, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Water is rising rapidly in a normally dry area after heavy rain.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Go high ground now. Never enter moving floodwater.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sudden muddy water in streets or dry washes.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Roaring sound upstream or weather alert for flash flood.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Flash floods transform dry channels into raging rivers within minutes.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Six inches of moving water can knock adults off their feet.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Leave low areas, underpasses, and stream beds immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Move uphill on foot if vehicle cannot escape safely.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Climb to highest floor or roof if trapped in building.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Avoid elevators — power may fail.
When and how to get professional help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Move to high ground immediately. Do not enter floodwater.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 if water trapping you rises with no exit.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Report location and number of people on upper floors.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Anyone swept away needs immediate rescue.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT drive into water — most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT walk through moving floodwater.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Shallow-looking floodwater is safe to drive through
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Road may be washed away beneath water. Turn around — do not drown.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Vehicle swept off road or stalled in rising water.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Aftershock
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — The ground shakes again after the main earthquake.
Avalanche warning
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Avalanche danger is high on slopes where you are traveling or living.
Buried in avalanche
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You or someone nearby is buried in avalanche snow.
Compound disaster
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Multiple disasters overlap — e.g. earthquake and tsunami, cyclone and flood.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Floodwater carries sewage — wounds need medical care.