Severe Weather Awareness Week continues today with a closer look
at flood and flash flood safety. Alabama residents fall victim
to these dangerous phenomena each year. General river flooding
occurs when heavy rains and runoff fill river basins with too
much water too quickly. Flash floods occur suddenly and usually
within hours of excessive localized heavy rainfall. These flash
floods can become raging torrents, ripping through
neighborhoods, streets or valleys, destroying whatever is in
their path. When conditions look favorable for flash flooding,
the National Weather Service will issue a flood watch,
highlighting flash flood potential in and around the specified
area, which usually covers several counties. This is the time to
start thinking about your plan of action if water begins to rise
or a flash flood warning is issued. When a flash flood warning
is issued for a smaller, more specific area, you must act
quickly as flash floods are an imminent threat to you and your
family. You may only have seconds to