Sumter, South Carolina

The Flood Warning continues for
the upper Santee river at trezesvants Landing.
* Until Saturday afternoon... or until the warning is cancelled.
* At 12 am Friday the stage was 80.3 feet.
* Flood stage is 80 feet.
* Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast.
* Forecast... the stage will be around 80.3 feet through today.

National flood awareness week... day five.

Flood safety.

Is flooding really that big of a deal?

Flooding causes more damage in the United States than any other
weather related event... an average of $4.6 billion a year in the past
20 years. Flooding can occur in any of the 50 states or U.S.
Territories at anytime of the year.

How can I find out if I am in danger from a flood?

The NOAA all hazards weather radio is one of the best ways to
receive warnings from the National Weather Service. NOAA all hazards
weather radio is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting
continuous weather and river information direct from nearby NWS
offices. Also... the NWS web Page... www.Weather.Gov/ahps... identifies
where flooding is occurring.

What's the difference between a flood and a flash flood?

A flood occurs when there is prolonged rainfall over several
days... intense rainfall over a short period of time... or an ice jam
or debris jam causing a river or stream to overflow and flood the
surrounding area. Melting snow can combine with rain in the winter
and early spring; severe thunderstorms can bring heavy rain in the
Spring and summer; or tropical cyclones can bring intense rainfall
to the coastal and inland states in the Summer and fall.

A flash flood occurs within six hours of a rain event... or after a
dam or levee failure... or following a sudden release of water held by
an ice or debris jam. Flash floods can catch people unprepared. You
will not always have a warning that these deadly... sudden floods are
coming. So... if you live in areas prone to flash floods... plan now to
protect your family and property. The use of the word flash is
synonymous with the word urgent; take action immediately.

Is there anything I can do to prepare for a flood?

How to reduce potential flood damage and what to include in a family
disaster plan can be obtained from the American Red Cross.

The National Weather Service works with and relies on strategic
partners involved in floodplain management... flood hazard
mitigation... flood preparedness... and flood warnings to reduce the
loss of life and property due to floods. Key partners include the
U.S. Geological survey... fema... the National hydrologic warning
Council... the association of state floodplain managers... the
American Red Cross... the National safety Council... the federal
Alliance for safe homes... the weather channel... and other media
outlets and many other government and private sector organizations.