Don't Let Flooding Leave You All Wet

(ATLANTA) - What do thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes and tropical storms have in common? They could cause deadly flooding. Therefore, the Office of Homeland Security - Georgia Emergency Management Agency (OHS-GEMA) encourages Georgians to pay close attention to severe weather warnings, avoid flooded areas, and check to see if they have flood insurance protection.

There are two types of flooding: Flash flooding along creeks and streams or in urban areas, which is caused by excessive rainfall, and river flooding, which is caused by long-term heavy rains often associated with hurricanes or tropical storms.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), flash floods are the No. 1 weather-related killer in the United States. Inland freshwater flooding accounts for 59 percent of hurricane-related fatalities in the United States. More than half of all fatalities involve vehicles that are swept downstream. 

When flooding occurs, area residents should move to higher ground and not attempt to negotiate flooded streets, either by foot or by car. The force of the current can be stronger than it appears, and roads may be compromised.

"The National Weather Service has an excellent public awareness campaign that warns us to ‘turn around, don't drown,'" says acting GEMA Director Charley English.  "We need to heed this advice and not try to drive or walk through a flooded area."

Fortunately, flood deaths in Georgia were down last year.  In the 88 flash floods that occurred in Georgia, there was only one death and one injury reported.

Georgians should note that although homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage, special flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  These flood insurance policies are available to anyone, regardless if they live in a high-risk flood zone, through commercial insurance companies, as long as their community participates in NFIP.

From 1984 to 2003, flooding caused an average of $4.6 billion in damage a year across the nation. Moreover, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes reports that 90 percent of all presidentially declared disasters include flooding.
 
For more information on flooding and other severe weather, visit OHS-GEMA's Web site at www.gema.state.ga.us. Other resources include National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service Web site at www.nws.noaa.gov, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes Web site at www.flash.org, or the Red Cross Web site at www.redcross.org and click on "get prepared."

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Post Office Box 18055 - Atlanta, Georgia 30316-0055
Phone (404) 635-7000 or toll-free in Georgia 1-800-TRY-GEMA - Fax (404)635-7205
www.gema.state.ga.us