Flash Flood Warning En Español

3 min read 23-11-2024

Sudden, intense rainfall can lead to dangerous flash floods. Knowing what to do before, during, and after a flash flood can save lives. This guide provides crucial information in Spanish and English to help you stay safe.

¿Qué es una inundación repentina? (What is a flash flood?)

A flash flood is a rapid, sudden rise in water levels, often occurring within six hours of heavy rainfall. Unlike slower-developing floods, flash floods can strike with little warning, making them especially dangerous. They are frequently associated with intense thunderstorms, hurricanes, and dam failures. The water can rise quickly, engulfing low-lying areas and roadways in a matter of minutes.

Señales de advertencia (Warning Signs)

Several signs indicate a potential flash flood. Pay close attention to:

Pronósticos meteorológicos severos: Monitor weather forecasts for heavy rainfall warnings and flash flood watches or warnings. (Severe weather forecasts: Monitor weather forecasts for heavy rainfall warnings and flash flood watches or warnings.)
Aumento rápido del nivel del agua en ríos, arroyos y zonas bajas: Observe waterways closely. Rapidly rising water levels are a critical sign. (Rapid rise in water levels in rivers, streams, and low-lying areas: Observe waterways closely. Rapidly rising water levels are a critical sign.)
Tormentas eléctricas intensas y prolongadas: Prolonged intense thunderstorms significantly increase the risk. (Intense and prolonged thunderstorms: Prolonged intense thunderstorms significantly increase the risk.)
Repentino aumento del caudal del agua: Notice a sudden increase in water volume in normally dry areas. (Sudden increase in water flow: Notice a sudden increase in water volume in normally dry areas.)

Qué hacer antes, durante y después de una inundación repentina (What to do before, during, and after a flash flood)

Antes de la inundación (Before the flood)

Desarrolle un plan de evacuación familiar: Establish a family evacuation plan, including designated meeting points. (Develop a family evacuation plan: Establish a family evacuation plan, including designated meeting points.)
Identifique las rutas de evacuación: Know your evacuation routes and alternate routes. (Identify evacuation routes: Know your evacuation routes and alternate routes.)
Mantenga un kit de emergencia: Keep an emergency kit readily available, including water, non-perishable food, flashlights, and a first-aid kit. (Maintain an emergency kit: Keep an emergency kit readily available, including water, non-perishable food, flashlights, and a first-aid kit.)
Mantenga su vehículo con el tanque lleno de gasolina: Keep your vehicle's fuel tank full. (Keep your vehicle’s fuel tank full: Keep your vehicle's fuel tank full.)

Durante la inundación (During the flood)

Evacue inmediatamente si se le ordena: Obey evacuation orders without delay. (Evacuate immediately if ordered: Obey evacuation orders without delay.)
No conduzca por zonas inundadas: Never drive through flooded areas; the water depth may be deceiving. (Do not drive through flooded areas: Never drive through flooded areas; the water depth may be deceiving.)
Busque un terreno elevado: Move to higher ground if you cannot evacuate. (Seek higher ground: Move to higher ground if you cannot evacuate.)
No toque cables eléctricos caídos: Avoid contact with downed power lines. (Do not touch downed power lines: Avoid contact with downed power lines.)

Después de la inundación (After the flood)

Verifique la seguridad de su hogar: Carefully assess your home for damage before entering. (Check the safety of your home: Carefully assess your home for damage before entering.)
Evite el agua contaminada: Floodwaters can be contaminated; avoid contact. (Avoid contaminated water: Floodwaters can be contaminated; avoid contact.)
Reporte los daños a las autoridades: Report any damage to the appropriate authorities. (Report damages to the authorities: Report any damage to the appropriate authorities.)
Tome fotografías de los daños: Document any damage for insurance purposes. (Take photographs of the damages: Document any damage for insurance purposes.)

Remember, your safety is paramount. Stay informed, be prepared, and take swift action when a flash flood warning is issued. Your preparedness can significantly reduce the risk to yourself and your family.