Many people do not know this, but flooding kills more people than any other weather hazard. The majority of deaths from flooding occur when people become trapped in automobiles that stall while driving through flooded areas. Nearly half of all flood fatalities are vehicle related. Flooding is usually divided into two categories. These categories are flash flooding and river flooding. Both of these can cause death, injury, and property destruction.

Flash floods are usually caused by slow moving thunderstorms or thunderstorms that move over the same area one after the other. These floods usually occur within 6 hours of heavy rainfall and are usually more life threatening as a result. Areas most prone to floods are mountainous streams and rivers, urban areas, low-lying areas, storm drains, and culverts. Flash floods can occur at anytime during the year.

Heavy rain caused a flash flood in Tishomingo County MS. The flood water swept a car off the road at this location with fatal results.

Flash floods often flow over roads, causing unseen damage. If the road is undermined, motor vehicles can easily be swept off the road into deeper water. You can not see this kind of road damage, especially at night. When you see water flooding over a roadway, just Turn Around, don�t drown.

River flooding is caused by the gradual increase in the water level of a river or creek. These floods usually occur seasonally with general rains, or with heavy rainfall from tropical systems. Heavy rain that occurs far north of the mid-south will cause the Mississippi River to flood. Smaller rivers and streams will flood from localized heavy rain. River flooding can occur at anytime during the year, but is more prevalent in the mid-south during the fall, winter and spring seasons.

Obion River flooding in northern Dyer County, Tennessee. This type of flooding may last for several days or even several weeks. Thousands of acres of farmland and numerous homes and roads can be flooded.