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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Burlington VT
501 AM EDT Mon Mar 15 2021

...NATIONAL FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK BEGINS... 

The National Weather Service in Burlington, VT has declared March
14 through March 20 as Flood Safety Awareness Week. Each day during
the awareness week will feature information about a different flood
related topic.

Todays topic is Flood Safety. Nearly every day, flooding happens
somewhere in the United States or its territories.  Flooding can
occur in any of the fifty states or U.S. territories at any time of
the year. It causes more damage in the United States than any other
weather related event. On average, floods cause eight billion
dollars in damages and ninety five fatalities annually.  Being
prepared and knowing how to stay safe will help you and your loved
ones survive a flood.

Before and during the flood, awareness and preparation are key. Know
your flood risk and elevation above flood stage. Do your local
streams or rivers flood easily? Where does your water come from?  If
so, be prepared to move to a place of safety. Know your evacuation
routes. Find our which flooding hazards impact your state at
weather.gov/safety/flood-map. Flood plain information is available
from FEMA at https://msc.fema.gov, or contact your town`s floodplain
manager.

Assemble a disaster supplies kit containing a first aid kit, canned
food and can opener, bottled water, rubber boots and gloves, a NOAA
Weather Radio and battery powered radio, flashlight and extra
batteries. Go to www.weather.gov/safety/flood for more information.

Find the latest forecasts and hazardous weather conditions at
www.weather.gov/btv. Forecasters in NWS offices work around the
clock to ensure watches, warnings and advisories are issued to alert
the public to hazardous conditions. Flood Watches are issued when
flooding is possible, and Flood or Flash Flood Warnings when
flooding is imminent or already occurring. The same information is
available on your mobile device at http://www.weather.gov/wrn/mobiel-
phone. Some smart phones are able to receive Flash Flood Warning
alerts via the Wireless Emergency Alert system. Visit
https://www.weather.gov/wrn/wea for more information.

NOAA All Hazards Radio is one of the best ways to receive warnings
from the National Weather Service. This nationwide network of radio
stations broadcast continuous weather, river and other emergency
information direct from NWS offices and emergency officials. For
more information, visit www.weather.gov/nwr/.

Our partners in local television, radio and print media are crucial
links in notifying and warning the public of flood threats and are
an excellent source for the latest weather and flood information.

The risk from flooding can be reduced by following on basic rule:
Stay away from flood waters! Most flood deaths occur in automobiles.
Turn around and go another way if you encounter a flooded roadway.
The road bed may not be intact under flood waters, and it only takes
a few inches of moving water to sweep a vehicle away. If the vehicle
stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground. Be especially
cautious at night when flood waters are more difficult to see.

Stay away from areas subject to flooding. This includes dips, low
spots, creek beds, canyons and ravines. Avoid already flooded areas,
and streams and rivers with high velocity flows. Do not attempt to
cross flowing streams.

Children should never play around high water, fast running streams,
storm drains or culverts. Rocks and stream banks can be slippery,
and the rapidly flowing floodwaters can quickly carry a child or
adult away.

$$

JMG