Editor’s Note: Our fictional friends Jane and Zymir observe Pennsylvania Flood Awareness Week.

By Robert Ambrose

Jane: Ah, I am tired about hearing about people losing everything to floods.

Zymir: But there are things they can do to mitigate problems.

Jane: Like what?

Zymir: Well, first recognize that the floods are super-destructive like you already know. Did you know that each year the US loses over five billion dollars to floods.

Jane: Staggering.

Zymir: Most deaths are preventable. People have to act smart not self-assured.

Jane: For example?

Zymir: Turn around, don’t drown. If a driver sees a road flooded out, how can he know it’s deep? He can’t. In fact, a small car can be pulled away by only 12 inches of running water.

Jane: Arrivederci.

Zymir: Exactly. Do a U-turn and get outta’ there. Just recently, I was reading some Red Cross materials and it said more. Leave low-lying areas because they are prone to flooding. Do not camp along rivers and streams when floods are threatening. We don’t think about it much but be “especially cautious” at night because floodwaters can rise and sneak up on you.

Jane: What else?

Zymir: Monitor the news. NOAA has updates as well.

Jane: Too bad we don’t have a crystal ball.

Zymir: What do you mean?

Jane: You know. To tell everyone how high the floodwater will go.

Zymir: My crystal ball is back-ordered. But we actually already have something much better. National Water Prediction Service. NWPS tells the public how high the estimated water level will rise during a flood, when the highest point of water will come and then recede, how long the flood will last, and how long the drought will last.

Jane: Flash flood this and that I hear sometimes.

Zymir: A flash flood emergency is stop lunch and run to the highest ground you can get to. A flash flood warning means avoid flooded areas because the situation is rapidly getting worse. A flood warning means watch out for possible flooded roadways and vacate homes and buildings targeted for flooding.

Jane: What else? Zymir: Online you can see a flood map. Check out NWPS’ Flood Inundation Map.