What are Ice Jams? Spring is the time of year when ice-covered
rivers begin to thaw. As this ice breaks up into chunks, they
move downstream and can jam in areas where the water flow bends,
near bridges and abutments or in shallow areas. The restricted
ice can then act as a dam, causing water to back up behind it.
River levels behind the ice jam can rise rapidly, often flooding
areas upstream. And ice jams that break can quickly release
water, causing flash floods and sending huge chunks of ice
downstream in the torrent. NOAA's National Weather Service
continuously monitors conditions that lead to flooding and
issues forecasts, watches, and warnings when necessary.
Weather.gov and NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards are some of your
best sources of such critical flood alert information. Each
year, more than 100 deaths occur due to flooding. Why? Because
people underestimate the force and power of water. Just six
inches of fast-moving flood water can knock you off your feet,
and a depth of two feet will float your