Inland Flooding
A major threat hurricanes and tropical storms bring to land is inland flooding, which results from intense rainfall from the storms. The intensity of rainfall does not directly relate to the wind speed of the storm, however – some intense flooding events occur during weaker storms that slowly drift or stall over one area. A study from 1970 to 1999 found that 59 percent of U.S. tropical cyclone deaths were from freshwater (inland) flooding and 63 percent of the deaths occurred in inland counties. Of the people who were killed from tropical storms, 23 percent drowned in their cars or died attempting to abandon them.
Viewer tip: In order to be safe during a tropical storm or hurricane, be sure to know if you live in a potential flood zone. Prepare a flood emergency action plan before a storm hits, and evacuate immediately if informed to do so. Try to keep track of road conditions through your local radio or television station, and stay away from flooded roadways. Just six-inches of flowing water can knock you off your feet, and most vehicles can be swept away in just 18- to 24-inches of water.
Seasons: Summer, Fall
(Sources: National Hurricane Center: Flooding: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/inland_flood.shtml; NOAA National Weather Service, http://www.nws.noaa.gov/, NWS TADD Campaign: www.weather.gov/os/water/tadd)
