Instructions on how to get rid of safe flash floods

Floods are not so threatening, especially when we have swimming skills. But flash floods, like what just happened in the northern mountains, were all of a sudden and barely reached. Anyway, some of the following conclusions can still help to realize the chance of survival even as thin as straw.

More room against

This is the first experience listed by disaster researchers in the United States based on the basic characteristics of flash floods that do not show any clear warning signs. The time of flash floods occurred, sometimes it was not cloudy, even the rain stopped.

The driver escaped when he jumped out of the car during the flash flood in Morocco.

The fundamental cause of flash flooding is the destruction of natural vegetation and ponds on a large scale, reducing the surface water permeability.

Meanwhile, there has not been any effective flash flood warning system despite the eloquent statement of scientists.

In the context of not being able to rely much on the public prevention system, disaster experts suggest some of the following experiences to limit risks:

• Monitoring rain changes not only in my area but also in surrounding areas, especially upstream and downstream rivers.
• Be wary when the upstream has rain, but the place where it is not raining, especially the prolonged rain, though the rainfall is not large.
• Being vigilant after a large-scale rain in the river basin, I live without seeing flood or flash flood.
• If permanently settled along rivers and streams, create a habit of recording rain in the area to have a wide and long view of the risk.
• Disaster insurance should be purchased and note the validity period of the insurance card to be able to be compensated if the disaster strikes.

If driving into a region near a river or mountain, before going:

• Understand the map of canyons, basins, sections of roads through rivers and streams
• Believe in NOAA's advice (American National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) 'come back, don't sink' (turn round, don't drown) if the front is just floodwater.

Flash floods in Morocco on September 23, 2014 swept cars into the river.(Photo AFP).

When flash floods hit

The survival rate is not high if the flood flashes the magic bowl, but it can still be useful to be aware of:

• Breathe deeply to overcome panic and tell yourself you will definitely escape.
• Run fast to a high position and look most solid.
• Immediately materials can float on water like plastic bottles, barrels, wooden pillars, sedge mats even if the flood water is not high.
• Do not wade through the flood even though only 15cm deep. That depth, according to NOAA, can flood a healthy person, break a bone, and push the victim to a deeper, tighter water.
• Everywhere the water level just flooded the ankle is dangerous, especially when disasters occur at night, visibility is limited.
• If you cannot escape the flooded area, try to find a shallow and slow flow.
• Carry a hard stick to detect the water level and avoid deep pit or stumbling across large obstacles.
• Avoid places with mud or large floats, things that can knock me down despite the shallow flow.
• If you have the water, follow Desmond Johnson - America's Swift Water Rescue Team (Swift Water Rescue), cling or climb something right away if you have one. As you float along the water, jump on the floating objects, not through them.
• If you grasp something, hold your leg down in the flow, shout out loudly and you can raise a hand to wave. Johnson said it was difficult to detect victims trapped in the water, so try to broadcast the emergency signal continuously until it was saved.

Trucks in Morocco are swept by flash floods.

With cars

According to the United States Federal Relief Administration (FEMA), do not overtake shallow flood waters. Deep water of only 1 cm is enough to make floating cars if launched quickly enough. The water is 15cm deep that has affected the underbody; 30cm water level can float the car; and 60cm enough to pull the car away.

• If you are in the car and the water rises, exit as quickly as possible. First, remove the safety belt, lower the glass door or use hard objects to hit the door so that the water spills into the car quickly. Otherwise, the pressure difference of 1,000 kg will not be able to open the door.
• Before the water filled the car, take a deep breath, within less than 60 seconds, exit through the glass window you just dropped or push the door open.