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Breaking down weather alerts: advisories, watches, and warningsFlash flood warning: Take action!<\/p>\nOn Sunday at 1:34 p.m. a flood warning was issued by the National Weather Service valid for Monday between 1 a.m. and 4 p.m. for Erie County.<\/p>\n
The weather service adds, \u201cMinor flooding is forecast for Cazenovia Creek near Cazenovia Creek at Ebenezer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAt 10.0 feet, Flood stage, minor flooding can be expected in low-lying areas east of Orchard Park Road and south of Ridge Road in West Seneca. Some inundation of Cazenovia Park in South Buffalo,\u201d states the weather service. \u201cTurn around, don\u2019t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. The next statement will be issued late tonight by 2 a.m.\u201d<\/p>\n
Breaking down weather alerts: advisories, watches, and warningsFlash flood warning: Take action!<\/p>\n
A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is either imminent or already occurring. In flood-prone areas, it\u2019s crucial to move immediately to higher ground. A flash flood is a sudden and violent inundation that can develop within minutes to hours, and it can even happen in areas not currently experiencing rainfall.<\/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 doesn\u2019t guarantee that flooding will occur, but it signifies that the possibility exists.<\/p>\n
Keeping safe during floods: Expert advice 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
Adhere to 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
Steer clear of basements or rooms where water has submerged electrical outlets or cords. This helps prevent electrical accidents.<\/p>\n
Swift evacuation for your 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 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
Should you become trapped by moving water, reach the highest point possible and dial 911 to contact emergency services.<\/p>\n
During heavy rainfall, the risk of flooding is heightened, especially in low-lying and flood-prone regions. Always remember never to drive through water on the road, no matter how shallow it appears. According to the weather service, as little as 12 inches of rapidly flowing water can carry away most vehicles. Prioritize your safety by staying informed and prepared.<\/p>\n
Rainy roadways ahead: Essential safety tips for heavy rain<\/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 weather service to ensure you stay safe in heavy rain:<\/p>\n
Beware of rapid water flow:<\/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
Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.<\/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
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
The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture 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
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
In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"On Sunday at 1:34 p.m. a flood warning was issued by the National Weather Service valid for Monday…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":72409,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[136,138,137],"class_list":{"0":"post-72408","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-erie","8":"tag-erie","9":"tag-erie-headlines","10":"tag-erie-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72408","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=72408"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72408\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/72409"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72408"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72408"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72408"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}