Minnesota Insurance

FAIRMONT - in Minnesota, floods kill more people than any other weather event.

Since 1993, 15 people died in floods Minnesota. Sept died last summer in the south-east of Minnesota, if deadly flash floods occurred August 18-19. A record rainfall was in the city of Hokah: 15.1 inches of rain in 24 hours. Other parts of the territory get more than 8 inches of rain.

Several factors contribute to Flash floods, with the two main elements are precipitation intensity (height of rainfall) and duration (how long it lasts). Topography, soil and surface-to-ceiling an important role to play.

Most flows slow fall by storms or storm moving steadily moving in the same area. In coastal areas, Flash flooding occurs when tropical storms or hurricanes.

Other fall floods may occur, with a dike or dam break - as, for example, which in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 - a sudden release of water retained by a ice jam. It is sometimes no warning that the flooding. Most deaths happen, while floods are falling floods.

Turn around, do not drown

Half of victims of the fall floods are killed in a vehicle, led many of those of a road near the barricade on the road was clean. The National Meteorological Service created the campaign “turn around, Drown not to warn people about the dangers of walking or driving by rising waters.

It is easy to think: “What little water?” But with more than a little water, there are incredible powers. It takes about 6 inches of water - that the ankle deep, for most adults - who will soon hit an adult at their feet. Two feet of water float, most vehicles, including collection trucks and SUVs.

Even if familiarity with the territory, it is always difficult to estimate the depth of water in a washed-out or soil conditions under. This applies especially after dark, while about 75 percent of deaths Flash floods occur.

The mere consultation “turn around, not Drown” is the best, what can be done when they have a street or an area that flooded.

Flood watches and warnings

Like watches thunderstorms and tornadoes, flood watch is usually for a large area where conditions are favourable for the development of a fall flood. Continue to monitor local media outlets for each time to develop and be ready to act if a warning is issued. Spend you do not have personal Family, where and how to contact people if it is necessary to evacuate.

A fall of the flood warning or flood warning issued as if floods or is imminent. The bulk is too high for the soil, and remain far from the rising waters. Explore away from flood zones, such as canyons, dips or other low spots. Do not let children play to give the assault to the sewer or any other collects water. If your house is vulnerable to increased off the ground. Do not attempt to cross all regions, which flooded. Empty, if officials told to do.

Another type of flood warning National Weather Service is the small town of flux and advice. Such is the case of flooding of small streams, roads and low-lying areas, such as railroads and canals storm sewers occurs.

In preparation

If live near a river, lake or stream, the possibilities of the experience of a flood are far greater. But city life is not sure of the fall flood risk. As a country that was once the fields and forests are too streets, neighborhoods and parking, the country loses the capacity of precipitation. Urbanization increases the rain after a period of two to six times more, which would naturally be the ground.

Residents are encouraged to buy flood insurance, insurance must, indeed, at least 30 days for the effect.

But before dark clouds rolling, doing research in your area. Are there any areas that tend to flood? Map of several escape routes and places to go in case of an evacuation. In addition, an emergency loan kit contains all the needs of survival for at least three days. For more information, please visit the website ready.gov