Flash Flood Safety Tips From The Valley Health System
From extreme heat to monsoon season, there are plenty of weather concerns during the summer months in Southern Nevada.
To keep your family safe in times of sudden weather changes such as flash floods, remember:
Do not drive or walk through water when you can’t see the street or pavement. If you are caught in your vehicle during a flash flood, stay with the vehicle until help arrives. It’s easier to find you in a car than in rushing water, where you could be quickly swept away or struck by debris.
Know where the detention basins and washes are in your neighborhood and if it looks like rain, stay away from these areas. This could include walking, biking and hiking trails and other recreational areas.
As fun as it may seem to play in the water, it’s not safe for a variety of reasons, including the speed of the water and what it is carrying. “The water is picking up garbage, fertilizer, oil, feces, rocks and everything else in its path,” says Jeff Davidson, MD, Medical Director of the Emergency Department at Valley Hospital. “It’s better to limit your water play to swimming pools, splash pads or gentle sprinklers.”