FLOOD WATCH NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

Flash Flood Watch FLOOD WATCH NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC 1004 PM EST TUE DEC 22 2015

...MORE RAIN TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY COULD RESULT IN FLASH FLOODING... .HIGH MOISTURE AND A SERIES OF UPPER DISTURBANCES WILL AFFECT THE AREA THROUGH THURSDAY. LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN AT TIMES COULD LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING AS GROUNDS ARE ALREADY SATURATED FROM RAIN TODAY. GAZ040-063>065-SCZ015-016-018-020>022-025>028-030-231800- /O.CON.KCAE.FF.A.0004.151223T0400Z-151224T2200Z/ /00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/ LINCOLN-MCDUFFIE-COLUMBIA-RICHMOND-LANCASTER-CHESTERFIELD- MCCORMICK-NEWBERRY-FAIRFIELD-KERSHAW-EDGEFIELD-SALUDA-LEXINGTON- RICHLAND-AIKEN- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...LINCOLNTON...THOMSON...MARTINEZ... EVANS...HEPHZIBAH...LANCASTER...ELGIN...LANCASTER MILL...CHERAW... PAGELAND...MCCORMICK...NEWBERRY...WINNSBORO...WINNSBORO MILLS... CAMDEN...LUGOFF...EDGEFIELD...JOHNSTON...SALUDA...RIDGE SPRING... SEVEN OAKS...WEST COLUMBIA...CAYCE...LEXINGTON...RED BANK... OAK GROVE...COLUMBIA...AIKEN...NORTH AUGUSTA 1004 PM EST TUE DEC 22 2015 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON... THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR * PORTIONS OF EAST CENTRAL GEORGIA AND CENTRAL SOUTH CAROLINA... INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS...IN EAST CENTRAL GEORGIA... COLUMBIA...LINCOLN...MCDUFFIE AND RICHMOND. IN CENTRAL SOUTH CAROLINA...AIKEN...CHESTERFIELD...EDGEFIELD...FAIRFIELD... KERSHAW...LANCASTER...LEXINGTON...MCCORMICK...NEWBERRY... RICHLAND AND SALUDA. * THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON * RAINFALL ESTIMATES OF 2 TO 3 INCHES HAVE FALLEN ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE WATCH AREA TODAY. ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS ARE POSSIBLE IN HEAVIER SHOWERS THROUGH THURSDAY. THIS RAIN WILL BE FALLING ON SATURATED SOILS WHICH MAY LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

Turn Around Don't Drown PSA

Never Drive or Walk into Flood Waters - Turn Around Don’t Drown! 

Flooding is one of the leading causes of weather related fatalities in the U.S. On average, flooding claims nearly 90 lives each year. More than half of these deaths occur in motor vehicles when people attempt to drive through flooded roadways. This happens because people underestimate the force and power of water, especially when it is moving. 

Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock over and carry off an adult. Twelve inches of water can float a small car. If that water is moving, it can carry that car away. Eighteen to twenty-four inches of flowing water can carry away most vehicles, including large SUVs. It is impossible to tell the exact depth of water covering a roadway or the condition of the road below the water. This is especially true at night when your vision is more limited. It is never safe to drive or walk through flood waters. Any time you come to a flooded road, walkway, or path, follow this simple rule: Turn Around Don’t Drown. 

For more information and flood safety tips, visit www.floodsafety.noaa.gov.

Wateree River at Wateree Dam Water Level Predictions for October