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Your guide to weather alerts: advisories, watches, and warningsFlash flood warning: Take action!<\/p>\nOn Thursday at 11:08 a.m. a flood watch was issued by the National Weather Service valid from 1 p.m. until Friday 1 p.m. for Westmoreland Ridges, Fayette Ridges and Higher Elevations of Indiana as well as Venango, Forest, Lawrence, Butler, Clarion, Jefferson, Armstrong, Westmoreland, Fayette and Indiana counties.<\/p>\n
The weather service says, “Flooding caused by ice jams is possible.”<\/p>\n
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood prone locations,” states the weather service. “You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.”<\/p>\n
Your guide to weather alerts: advisories, watches, and warningsFlash 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 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
Weathering the storm: Flood safety guidelines from the weather service<\/p>\n
Floods can pose a significant threat, especially if you live in a flood-prone area or find yourself camping in a low-lying region. To ensure your safety, the weather service offers essential flood safety guidelines:<\/p>\n
Move to higher ground:<\/p>\n
If you’re in a flood-prone area, or if you’re camping in a low-lying spot, move to higher ground as a first step.<\/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
Avoid 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
Evacuate promptly for safety:<\/p>\n
If you notice sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping noises, evacuate immediately. Avoid any water that may be charged with electricity.<\/p>\n
Stay away from 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 high ground if trapped:<\/p>\n
Should you become trapped by moving water, reach the highest point possible and dial 911 to contact emergency services.<\/p>\n
During periods of heavy rainfall, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas, the risk of flooding escalates. Remember this crucial advice: never attempt to drive through water on the road, even if it appears shallow. According to the weather service, as little as 12 inches of rapidly flowing water can carry away most vehicles. 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
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
Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain.<\/p>\n
Slow down and drive with care:<\/p>\n
On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Ease off the accelerator gradually 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
Visibility matters:<\/p>\n
Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.<\/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
Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas.When 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","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"On Thursday at 11:08 a.m. a flood watch was issued by the National Weather Service valid from 1…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":118402,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[28,30,29],"class_list":{"0":"post-118401","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-pennsylvania","8":"tag-pennsylvania","9":"tag-pennsylvania-headlines","10":"tag-pennsylvania-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118401","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=118401"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118401\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/118402"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=118401"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=118401"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=118401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}