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Flooding kills more people than just about any weather-related hazard. Most deaths associated with floods occur either at night, or when people become trapped in automobiles that stall while driving in areas that are flooded. Floods can be divided into two general categories: flash floods and river floods. Both hold potential for causing death, injury and property destruction.
Flash Floods
Most flash floods are caused by slow-moving thunderstorms, or thunderstorms which move over the same area one right after the other. Flash floods generally occur within a short time period after a rain event - generally 6 hours or less. For this reason they are more life threatening. Areas most susceptible to flash flooding are mountainous streams and rivers, urban areas, low-lying area, storm drains, and culverts.
River Floods
This type of flood is caused by a gradual increase in water level of a river or creek. These floods occur seasonally with general rains, or with torrential rains associated with tropical storms - such as the flooding which occurred in south Georgia after Tropical storm Alberto in 1994. The National Weather Service will issue a Flood Watch / Flash Flood Watch when conditions are detected that could result in flooding/flash flooding of a certain area. Persons in the watch area are advised to keep informed and be ready to take action if a warning is issued or flooding is observed. A River Flood Warning, or a Flash Flood Warning will be issued when flooding/flash flooding is imminent in a specific location. Persons in the warned areas are advised to take precautions immediately.
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