Severe Weather Awareness Week - Day 4  ...Flood and Flash Flood
Safety...      Severe Weather Awareness Week continues today
with a closer look at flood and flash flood safety. Alabama
residents fall victim to these dangerous phenomena each year.
General river flooding occurs when heavy rains and runoff fill
river basins with water too quickly. Flash floods occur suddenly
and usually within hours of excessive localized heavy rainfall.
Flash floods can become raging torrents, ripping through
neighborhoods, streets or valleys, destroying whatever is in
their path.    When conditions look favorable for flash
flooding, the National Weather Service will issue a Flood Watch,
highlighting flash flood potential in and around the specified
area. A Watch usually encompasses several counties. This is the
time to start thinking about your plan of action if water begins
to rise or a flash flood warning is issued.    A Flash Flood
Warning is issued for a smaller, more specific area. This is
when you must act quickly as fla