DENVER — It’s Colorado Flood Safety and Wildfire Awareness Week. With that, here are some details so you know the difference between a flood watch, flood warning, flash flood watch and flash flood warning, thanks to the National Weather Service in Pueblo.
Flooding can be a big problem in Colorado as evidenced in September 2013. Heavy rain fell over a large area of the foothills, resulting in flash flooding.
All the water ended up in the South Platte River, with major river flooding occurring from Greeley to the state line.
River flooding can result from heavy rain during the summer, rapid snow melt, or thunderstorm rains combining with runoff from melting snow.
Flash flooding refers to the dangerous sudden rise in water in a canyon, along a creek or wash, or over a normally dry land area.
Flash floods result from heavy rainfall, sudden breaks in river ice jams and dam or levee failures. Flash floods can occur within a few minutes or hours, and can move at surprisingly high speeds, striking with little warning.
Flash floods are quite destructive because of the force of the moving water, and the debris that accumulates in flood waters, such as trees and boulders, which can destroy roadways, bridges and buildings.
Another complication in Colorado is the serious flooding that can result when heavy rain falls on recently burned areas.
The National Weather Service will discuss flood and flash flood potential in daily hazardous weather outlooks and in the weather story on National Weather Service websites. On days with a high threat for flooding you may hear.
A flash flood or flood watch, which means flash flooding or flooding is possible within the watch area.
A flood warning, which means flooding is imminent or has been reported along a river.
A flash flood warning, which means flash flooding has been reported or is imminent. When a flash flood warning is issued for your area, act quickly. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Go to higher ground or climb to safety before access is cut off by flood waters.
Nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are vehicle related. Do not enter a flooded roadway. Instead, turn around … do not drown.
In rapidly rising waters, backing up away from water may be safer. One to 2 feet of water will carry away most vehicles and you also cannot tell if the road is damaged beneath the water.