Alameda and Contra Costa counties are included in a flash flood warning launched by the Nationwide Climate Service on Thursday at 3:01 a.m. The warning is in impact till 6 a.m.
“At 3:01 a.m., Doppler radar indicated heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.5 and 1 inch of rain has fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly,” in accordance with the NWS San Francisco CA. “Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.”
Places impacted by the warning embrace Oakland, Harmony, Berkeley, Richmond, Mountain View, Alameda, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, Danville, Martinez, Nice Hill, San Pablo, Lafayette, El Cerrito, Hercules, Albany, Pinole, Orinda, Moraga and Piedmont.
Based on the NWS, “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.”
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Breaking down climate alerts: advisories, watches, and warnings
Flash flood warning: Take motion!
A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you’re in a flood-prone space, transfer instantly to excessive floor. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that may take from minutes to hours to develop. It’s even attainable to expertise a flash flood in areas not instantly receiving rain.
Flood warning: Take motion!
A flood warning is asserted when flooding is on the verge of occurring or is already underway.
Flood advisory: Remember:
A flood advisory is launched when flooding shouldn’t be anticipated to succeed in a severity stage necessitating a warning. Nonetheless, it may possibly nonetheless trigger appreciable inconvenience and, with out exercising warning, probably result in conditions that threaten life and/or property.
Flood watch: Be ready:
A flood watch is issued when situations are favorable for flooding. It doesn’t assure that flooding will happen, nevertheless it signifies that the likelihood exists.
Weathering the storm: Flood security pointers from the NWS
Floods can pose a big risk, particularly in the event you dwell in a flood-prone space or end up tenting in a low-lying area. To make sure your security, the NWS presents important flood security pointers:
Search larger floor:
In the event you reside in a flood-prone area or are tenting in low-lying terrain, step one to security is relocating to larger floor.
Adhere to evacuation orders:
When native authorities concern an evacuation order, promptly comply. Earlier than leaving, safe your house by locking it.
Disconnect utilities and home equipment:
If time permits, disconnect your utilities and home equipment. This precaution minimizes electrical hazards throughout flooding.
Keep away from basements and submerged areas:
Keep away from basements or rooms submerged in water with electrical shops or cords. Stopping electrical accidents is essential.
Evacuate promptly for security:
In the event you discover sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping noises, evacuate instantly. Keep away from any water which may be charged with electrical energy.
Chorus from strolling in floodwaters:
By no means try to stroll by way of floodwaters, even when they seem shallow. Simply 6 inches of fast-moving water can forcefully sweep you off your ft.
Search larger floor when trapped:
Must you turn into trapped by transferring water, attain the very best level attainable and dial 911 to contact emergency companies.
In periods of heavy rainfall, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas, the danger of flooding escalates. Keep in mind this important recommendation: by no means try to drive by way of water on the highway, even when it seems shallow. Based on the NWS, as little as 12 inches of quickly flowing water can carry away most automobiles. Keep protected by being ready and knowledgeable.
Navigating heavy rain: Important security measures for moist roads
When heavy rain strikes, security is paramount. Equip your self with these pointers from the NWS to navigate moist roads and keep away from hazards:
Watch out for swollen waterways:
Keep away from parking or strolling in shut proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, because the swiftly transferring water throughout heavy rain can probably carry you away.
Preserve protected driving distances:
The 2-second rule for following distance is your ally in heavy rain. Lengthen it to 4 seconds to make sure protected spacing in opposed situations.
Scale back pace and drive cautiously:
Whether it is raining and the roads are moist, decelerate. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your pace drop steadily. By no means use the brakes immediately as a result of this may increasingly trigger the automobile to skid.
Select your lane correctly:
Keep towards the center lanes – water tends to pool within the exterior lanes.
Prioritize visibility:
Improve your visibility in heavy rain by turning in your headlights. Be careful for automobiles in blind spots, as rain-smeared home windows can obscure them.
Be careful for slippery roads:
The primary half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest as a consequence of a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Train heightened warning throughout this era.
Maintain a protected distance from giant automobiles:
Giant vans and buses can scale back your visibility with tire spray. Keep away from tailgating and cross with warning.
Thoughts your windshield wipers:
Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so restricted that the perimeters of the highway or different automobiles can’t be seen at a protected distance, it’s time to pull over and anticipate the rain to ease up. It’s best to cease at relaxation areas or different protected areas.
If the roadside is your solely choice, pull off so far as attainable, ideally previous the tip of a guard rail, and wait till the storm passes. Maintain your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert different drivers of your place.
Within the face of heavy rain, these precautions could make a big distinction in making certain your security on the highway. Keep in mind to remain knowledgeable about climate situations and heed steering from native authorities for a safe journey.
For extra climate alerts within the Bay Space, go to Climate Advisories
