Watch the how-to video, provided by the City of Seal Beach<\/a>.<\/p>\nUnderstanding the differences between advisories, watches, and warnings <\/p>\n
Flash flood warning: Take action. <\/p>\n
A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood-prone area, move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.<\/p>\n
Flood warning: Take action. <\/p>\n
A flood warning is declared when flooding is on the verge of happening or is already underway.<\/p>\n
Flood advisory: Be aware. <\/p>\n
A flood advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and\/or property.<\/p>\n
Flood watch: Be prepared. <\/p>\n
A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.<\/p>\n
Keeping safe during floods: Expert advice from the NWS <\/p>\n
In flood-prone regions or while camping in low-lying areas, understanding and following the NWS flood safety guidelines can be a lifesaver:<\/p>\n
Seek higher ground:<\/p>\n
If you reside in a flood-prone region or are camping in low-lying terrain, the first step to safety is relocating to higher ground.<\/p>\n
Adhere to evacuation orders:<\/p>\n
If local authorities issue an evacuation order, heed it promptly. Prior to leaving, secure your home by locking it.<\/p>\n
Disconnect utilities and appliances:<\/p>\n
If time allows, disconnect your utilities and appliances. This reduces the risk of electrical hazards during flooding.<\/p>\n
Steer clear of flooded basements and submerged areas:<\/p>\n
Steer clear of basements or rooms where water has submerged electrical outlets or cords. This helps prevent electrical accidents.<\/p>\n
Evacuate promptly for safety:<\/p>\n
If you notice sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping sounds, evacuate without delay. Do not enter water that may carry an electrical charge.<\/p>\n
Refrain from walking in floodwaters:<\/p>\n
Never attempt to walk through floodwaters. Even just 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.<\/p>\n
Seek higher ground when trapped:<\/p>\n
Should you become trapped by moving water, reach the highest point possible and dial 911 to contact emergency services.<\/p>\n
When heavy rain occurs, there is a potential for flooding, particularly in areas that are low-lying or prone to floods. It is crucial to never drive through water on the road, even if it appears shallow. According to the NWS, as little as 12 inches of fast-flowing water can carry away most vehicles. Stay safe by being prepared and informed.<\/p>\n
Navigating heavy rain: Essential safety measures for wet roads <\/p>\n
When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises. Whether it\u2019s prolonged rainfall or rapid runoff, being prepared is essential. Here are some valuable safety tips from the NWS to ensure you stay safe in heavy rain:<\/p>\n
Beware of swollen waterways:<\/p>\n
During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.<\/p>\n
Maintain safe driving distances:<\/p>\n
The two-second rule for following distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend it to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.<\/p>\n
Reduce speed and drive cautiously:<\/p>\n
If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.<\/p>\n
Choose your lane wisely:<\/p>\n
Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes.<\/p>\n
Visibility matters:<\/p>\n
Turn on your headlights and be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.<\/p>\n
Watch out for slippery roads:<\/p>\n
The first half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mix of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.<\/p>\n
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so with caution.<\/p>\n
Mind your windshield wipers:<\/p>\n
Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.
\nWhen stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.<\/p>\n
By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound.<\/p>\n
For more local weather alerts, visit our Weather Advisory page<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Orange County was placed under a flash flood warning by the National Weather Service on Sunday at 4:02…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":492588,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[163,165,164,334],"class_list":["post-492587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-anaheim","tag-anaheim","tag-anaheim-headlines","tag-anaheim-news","tag-weather-advisory"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/492587","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=492587"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/492587\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/492588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=492587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=492587"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=492587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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