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Flash floods form rapidly
According to the National Weather Service, a flash flood is
flooding that begins within six hours, and often in as little as
three hours, of heavy rainfall.
Waters rise so quickly that people are caught off guard,
according to the weather service.. Many people run into trouble
while traveling. If at home or work, the water can rise so
quickly people are trapped before they have time to think about
escape.
That is just what happened to residents along the Guadalupe
River in Kerr County and the surrounding area after at least 10
inches (25 centimeters) poured from the sky early Friday
morning.
There was advance notice in Texas
On Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a
flood watch, estimating rising water of up to 7 inches (17
centimeters) in spots. A “watch” means conditions are favorable
for a flood and people should be prepared, but hazardous
conditions might not develop.
But the watch was upgraded to a flood warning overnight, a
notice that impacted 30,000 people. A warning is issued when
flooding is imminent or occurring, the weather service says.
Flash floods are deadly
Last year, 145 people died in flash floods, according to the
weather service. On average over the past 30 years, floods have
claimed 127 lives annually.
Floods trap people in vehicles
Nearly half of all flood-related fatalities involve vehicles.
Many people don't realize that a car becomes difficult to
control in just 6 inches (15 centimeters) of water and can be
swept away in as little as 18 inches (46 centimeters). So
instead of finding a detour, too often people try to drive
through water at underpasses or other low-lying areas.
Flash floods can happen anywhere
It can happen anywhere, according to the weather service, which
says that “the normally tranquil streams and creeks in your
neighborhood can become raging torrents if heavy rain falls
overhead.”
An area can be flooded even without rain — if it's downstream of
a torrential rainstorm and a swollen stream heads its way.
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