Flooding during a major rain event occurs in stages. The surplus of waterquickly fills small streams causing an overflow into low-lying areas. Theexcess water continues to bleed into large streams and small rivers which arenext to flood. Last to go are big rivers which only flood when huge amounts ofwater are being supplied from all neighboring water shed areas. In many cases,the largest rivers do not crest until well after the rain has stopped. KNOW IFYOU LIVE ON A FLOOD PLAIN.Beware of water that covers roads. Although it may look shallow, it may bedeeper than you actually think. Plus, there is a chance the road beneath thewater has been washed away which is something you can't see from behind thewheel.
One final thing... a mere 1 to 2 feet of rushing water can easily lift and movea car. Plus as you find yourself floating away, the flood waters may rise veryquickly making and escape by foot impossible.
Commentary by AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist John Kocet.
