Flood Awareness: The Power of Water

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Krista Melnar

Stormwater Engineer

May marks Flood Awareness Month in Oklahoma, and May 24-28 marks Flood Awareness Week in Texas. Earlier this year, Georgia recognized Flood Safety Preparedness Week.

Whatever the month or week, it’s always crucial to know the power of water. While dangerous floods are possible throughout the year, they often have a higher frequency in the spring and summer.

According to the National Weather Service, flooding happens almost every day somewhere in the United States or its territory. Flooding also causes an average of $8 billion a year in damages in the U.S. Even a few inches of water can cause tens of thousands of dollars worth of flood damage.

Some important facts to be aware of:

  • Just 2 feet of moving water can carry away a full-sized car.
  • Over half of flood-related deaths occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood waters.
  • 1 in 4 flood insurance claims come from areas that are not considered high-risk.

During the week of May 24-28, we’ll highlight flood safety tips and resources available.

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Krista Melnar, PE, CFM, PMP, is the Stormwater Practice Leader in Austin.