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Deciphering advisories, watches, and warnings: Understanding weather alertsFlash flood warning: Take action!<\/p>\nA coastal flood statement was released by the National Weather Service on Sunday at 3:15 p.m. valid for Monday between midnight and 4 a.m. for Staten Island and Queens.<\/p>\n
The weather service adds, “Up to one half foot of inundation above ground level expected in vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline.”<\/p>\n
“Brief minor flooding of the more vulnerable locations near the waterfront and shoreline,” adds the weather service. “Do not drive through flooded roadways.”<\/p>\n
Deciphering advisories, watches, and warnings: Understanding weather alertsFlash 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 issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.<\/p>\n
Flood advisory: Be aware:<\/p>\n
A flood advisory is released when flooding is not expected to reach a severity level necessitating a warning. Nonetheless, it can still cause considerable inconvenience and, without exercising caution, potentially lead to situations that 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
Staying safe during a flood: Recommendations from the weather service<\/p>\n
In flood-prone regions or while camping in low-lying areas, understanding and following the weather service flood safety guidelines can be a lifesaver:<\/p>\n
Move to 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
Follow evacuation orders:<\/p>\n
When local authorities issue an evacuation order, promptly comply. Before 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
Avoid basements or rooms submerged in water with electrical outlets or cords. Preventing electrical accidents is crucial.<\/p>\n
Swift evacuation for your 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 if they appear shallow. Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can forcefully sweep you off your feet.<\/p>\n
Seek higher ground when trapped:<\/p>\n
In the event you become trapped by moving water, make your way to the highest point available and contact emergency services by calling 911.<\/p>\n
During heavy rainfall, there is a risk of flooding, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Remember to never drive through water on the road, even if it seems shallow. According to the weather service, as little as 12 inches of rapidly flowing water can carry away most cars. Stay safe by being prepared and informed.<\/p>\n
Navigating rainy roads: Safety tips for wet weather<\/p>\n
Rain can turn roads into hazards. Stay informed and follow these tips from the weather service to ensure safety during heavy rainfall:<\/p>\n
Beware of swollen waterways:<\/p>\n
Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away.<\/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
On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.<\/p>\n
Choose your lane wisely:<\/p>\n
Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.<\/p>\n
Prioritize visibility:<\/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
Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.<\/p>\n
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:<\/p>\n
Don’t 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 impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or sheltered spots.If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on 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","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A coastal flood statement was released by the National Weather Service on Sunday at 3:15 p.m. valid for…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":112325,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[9,24,63,134,136,135],"class_list":{"0":"post-112324","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-staten-island","8":"tag-new-york","9":"tag-new-york-city","10":"tag-nyc","11":"tag-staten-island","12":"tag-staten-island-headlines","13":"tag-staten-island-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112324","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=112324"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112324\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/112325"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=112324"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=112324"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=112324"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}