Home » NWS Hurricane Preparedness Week: Day 4, Flooding

NWS Hurricane Preparedness Week: Day 4, Flooding

By  //  May 27, 2015

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Hurricanes and tropical storms can produce widespread heavy rain, which often leads to significant flooding in areas hundreds of miles away from the center of the storm. (NWS image)

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Contrary to popular belief, the amount of rain a tropical system produces is related to its speed, not strength.

Hurricanes and tropical storms can produce widespread heavy rain, which often leads to significant flooding in areas hundreds of miles away from the center of the storm.

Large and slow moving weather storms produce larger amounts of rain.

If you live away from the coast or in the interior, flooding rainfall is often the largest threat from hurricanes.

Longer term flooding in areas near rivers such as the Saint Johns can persist for several days to weeks after a storm passes.

When approaching water on a roadway, remember that even shallow floodwaters may conceal a washed out road or drainage ditch.

Always remember: Turn Around Don’t Drown!