Flood Awareness Week: Turn Around, Don’t Drown
By Office of Communication
Posted on March 20, 2014, March 20, 2014

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Turn Around Don't Drown, or TADD, is a NOAA National Weather Service campaign to warn people of the hazards of walking or driving vehicles through flood waters.

Why is Turn Around Don't Drown® So Important?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, over half of all flood- related deaths occur when a vehicle is driving into hazardous flood water. Second on the list are flood-related deaths due to walking in or around flood waters. Why? The main reason is people are unaware of the force and power of flowing water. It only takes six inches of fast-moving water to sweep a person off their feet and two feet of flowing water can carry away most vehicles.

Follow These Safety Rules

  • Monitor the NOAA Weather Radio or your favorite local news source for current weather related information.
  • If flooding occurs, get to higher ground. Get out of areas subject to flooding. This includes dips or low spots in the roadway, canyons or washes.
  • Avoid areas already flooded, especially if the water is flowing fast. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams. Turn Around Don't Drown®
  • Road beds may be washed out under flood waters. NEVER drive through flooded roadways. Turn Around Don't Drown®.
  • Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly during threatening weather conditions.
  • Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognized flood dangers.
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