Podcast Summary
Preparing for Dangerous Flash Floods: Stay informed, keep emergency supplies, avoid driving during heavy rains to stay safe during flash floods, caused by climate change and urban development, resulting in more deaths than any other weather event in US.
Flash floods are a dangerous and rapidly changing weather hazard that can catch people off guard, resulting in more deaths than any other weather event in the United States. Climate change is contributing to an increase in extreme weather events, including flash floods, by causing more rainfall in shorter periods of time. This compressed rainfall, combined with urban development and poor planning, can lead to more severe flooding. It's crucial to be prepared for flash floods by keeping emergency supplies in your car and avoiding driving during heavy rains if possible. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed warnings from local authorities. By taking these precautions, you can help ensure your safety during flash flood events.
Urban development disrupts natural water flows causing flash floods: Urban development increases flood risk for motorists, 'Turn Around, Don't Drown' campaign advises against driving through flooded areas.
Urban development leading to increased impervious cover, such as roads, rooftops, and parking lots, can disrupt natural water flows and cause flash floods. These floods pose a significant danger, particularly for motorists. The "Turn Around, Don't Drown" campaign, originating in Texas, is an effective way to communicate this risk. The campaign uses catchy phrases and easy-to-remember messages to encourage drivers to avoid driving through flooded areas and instead turn around and find an alternative route. This simple yet crucial advice could potentially save lives during flash floods.
Staying Safe During Floods: Preparation and Quick Action: Prepare with essential tools like seat belt cutter, window smasher, whistle, and floatation device. Stay informed using real-time info for situational awareness.
Staying safe during floods requires both preparation and quick action. The National Weather Service's "Turn Around, Don't Drown" campaign emphasizes the importance of avoiding even small amounts of water on the road, but Hector Guerrero, the campaign's creator, acknowledges that sometimes people can't escape. In such cases, having tools like a seat belt cutter, window smasher, and a whistle in your car can be crucial. Additionally, aiming for the corner of a window and forcefully breaking it is a recommended method to escape. Moreover, carrying a floatation device, such as a life vest, can be beneficial. Utilizing real-time information from websites or other technological solutions can provide essential situational awareness during floods. Overall, being prepared with necessary tools and staying informed about flood hazards can significantly increase your chances of safety.
Determine safety during a flood: evacuate or stay put?: Stay informed, prioritize safety, and if necessary, get to high ground to survive a flood.
During a flood, the first priority is to determine whether it's safer to evacuate or stay put based on public safety announcements. If you do find yourself in a flooded area while in a vehicle, your best bet is to quickly seek high ground, as dangerous as it may be. This is a common theme in flood survival stories, where individuals have had to climb trees or find elevated areas to escape the rushing waters. It's important to remember that more people die in floods due to driving through flooded roads than from the floodwaters themselves. So, stay informed, prioritize safety, and if necessary, get to high ground.
Stay safe during floods: Prioritize public announcements, keep essential items, and avoid driving through flooded roads.: During floods, prioritize safety by following public announcements, keeping essential items handy, and avoiding flooded roads to ensure your safety.
During flood situations, it's crucial to prioritize safety. First, pay attention to public safety announcements to determine the best course of action. Second, keep essential items in your car to help you evacuate if necessary. Lastly, stay calm and avoid driving through flooded roads to ensure your safety. Remember, "Turn around, don't drown." (NPR's LIFE KIT) Additionally, the episode emphasizes the importance of being informed about climate change and its potential impact on our communities. For more resources on navigating climate anxiety and talking to kids about climate change, check out NPR's LIFE KIT episodes on these topics at npr.org/lifekit. Produced by Janet Woojeong Lee, with Meghan Keane as the managing producer, Beth Donovan as the senior editor, and a team including Antti Tagle, Claire Marie Schneider, Beck Harland, and Wen Davis. This message is brought to you by NPR sponsor Charles Schwab and their original podcast, Choiceology, which explores the psychology and economics behind people's decisions. Listen and subscribe at Schwab.com/podcast. Lastly, stay informed about global events with NPR's State of the World, which transports you to different parts of the world each day and introduces you to the people living those events. Listen while doing the dishes or driving your car. (NPR's State of the World)
Stay informed about global events and trends with the State of the World podcast: Listen daily to gain a broader perspective on the world and stay updated on global developments, politics, economics, and social issues
The State of the World podcast from NPR provides essential daily coverage of international stories that matter. This podcast is an excellent resource for anyone looking to stay informed about global events and trends. The discussions on the podcast offer in-depth analysis and context, making complex issues accessible and understandable. Whether you're interested in politics, economics, or social issues, the State of the World podcast has you covered. By tuning in each day, you'll gain a broader perspective on the world and stay up-to-date on the latest developments. So, if you want to expand your knowledge and deepen your understanding of global affairs, make sure to add the State of the World podcast to your daily routine.
