####018000462#### NOUS43 KGLD 171201 PNSGLD Public Information Statement National Weather Service Goodland KS 600 AM MDT Wed Apr 17 2024 ...ON THIS DATE IN WEATHER HISTORY... In 1907, just a few weeks after the warmest March ever recorded, a spring cold wave was in progress across the area. Goodland recorded a morning low of 18 degrees, which is a record for the date. The colder than normal weather persisted through the middle of May. $$ ####018004268#### NOUS41 KBGM 171202 PNSBGM PAZ038>040-043-044-047-048-072-180400- Public Information Statement National Weather Service Binghamton NY 800 AM EDT Wed Apr 17 2024 ...PENNSYLVANIA SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK... This week is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Pennsylvania. We are covering a different safety topic each day of this week. Our topic for today is, Flash flooding and flash flood safety. More people are killed by flash floods than by other storm- related weather hazards. Unfortunately, most people succumb to flooding after they drive their automobiles into flooded roadways and are subsequently swept away to their deaths. If you encounter a flooded roadway, Turn Around, Don't Drown! Find another route, it could save your life! Many people lose their lives by not adhering to this simple rule, Turn Around, Don't Drown! What is a flash flood? A flash flood is flooding that happens quickly. During a flash flood, a stream or creek will rise rapidly and crest generally within a few hours of the start of the heavy rain. Flash floods are so dangerous because the waters rise so quickly that they can catch people off guard and trap them in dangerous situations. This is why the National Weather Service constantly monitors rainfall using rain gauges and radar estimates, as well as monitoring stream and creek levels using automated river gauges and local spotters. The National Weather Service will issue Flash Flood Watches and Flash Flood Warnings to help alert you to expected flood dangers. What causes flash floods? Flash floods are caused when very heavy rainfall, usually from slow-moving thunderstorms, overwhelms the natural or engineered drainage systems. Streams, creeks and smaller rivers are most vulnerable to flash flooding. Flash flooding occurs in urban areas as well as in rural areas. What does a Flash Flood Watch mean? A Flash Flood Watch means that the potential exists for flash flooding to occur on any stream, creek or small river. The watch does not mean that flooding is imminent or occurring. It just means that the ingredients for flooding are expected and areas of flooding are possible. What should you do when a Flash Flood Watch is issued? Be prepared to take quick action to protect yourself by moving to higher ground if you are near a waterway. Watch water levels carefully and be ready to evacuate at any moment. If you are traveling during a Flash Flood Watch, be alert for signs of flash flooding, especially at night when it can be difficult to see a flooded roadway. Be very careful if driving through flood prone areas, and if you encounter a flooded roadway, Turn Around, Don't Drown! Find an alternate route. It could save your life! What does a Flash Flood Warning mean? A Flash Flood Warning means rapid life-threatening flooding is occurring, or will begin very soon. A warning lets you know that heavy rain will cause the water to rise and overflow the banks of the waterways nearby. A Flash Flood Warning can also be prompted by levee and dam failures. You need to take action immediately to protect your life and property if you are in the danger area. What should you do when a Flash Flood Warning is issued? Move up to higher ground immediately and get out of the danger area. Never drive across bridges covered with water, or through areas where water covers the roadway. Most cars will float in just 16 to 18 inches of water. If rising water captures your automobile, it could easily sweep you away. Be especially cautious at night, when it is harder to recognize that an area may be flooded. For additional information on flash floods and severe weather, Check out: www.weather.gov/safety/flood Our weather safety topics for the rest of the week will be, Thursday, Tornadoes. Friday, Ways to become involved - SKYWARN spotters, Weather Ready Nation, StormReady, and HAM radio. For local weather information...please visit: https://www.weather.gov/bgm $$ Mitchell Gaines Meteorologist National Weather Service Binghamton, NY