Flood Information

What is Flash Flooding?

As the name indicates, flash floods can develop quickly, sometimes in just a few minutes and without any visible signs of rain. Flash floods often have a dangerous wall of roaring water that carries rocks, mud, and other debris and can sweep away most things in their paths.

Flash floods are the number one weather-related killer in the U.S. because they can roll boulders, tear out trees, and destroy buildings and bridges quickly. A flash flood is a sudden, rapid flooding of low-lying areas typically caused by intense rainfall. Flash floods can also occur from the collapse of a man-made structure or ice dam. Rapidly rising water can reach heights of 30 feet or more.

How Can It Affect YOU?

Flash flooding is particularly dangerous because people attempt to drive through rushing water or down a flooded road.

Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and possible stalling. It only takes two feet of water to lift a car or SUV and once a vehicle becomes buoyant, the water can easily push it sideways or roll it over, trapping those inside and washing them downstream. Drivers should remember this simple saying: "Turn Around - Don't Drown," and practice safe driving during flood events.

Flash flooding causes more than $2 billion in property damage each year in the U.S.

What is Stormwater Flooding?

Localized flooding that occurs during or after a storm. Any storm, particularly slow-moving, steady rain storms, can overwhelm drainage systems. When the system backs up, pooling water can flood streets, yards and even the lower floors of homes and businesses. Even less intense storms can cause this type of flooding when leaves, sediment and debris plug storm drains.

Localized flooding poses most of the same problems caused by larger floods, but typically impacts fewer people and affects geographically smaller areas. Flooding of this type tends to recur year after year.

The aftermath can mean costly damage to homes and property. In many cases, stormwater flooding can easily be avoided by keeping stormdrains clear of debris, so the stormwater system can function properly.

How Can It Affect YOU?

Stormwater flooding frequently causes property damage and traffic congestion. Keeping stormdrains clear of leaves and debris so the system can perform its task is the responsibility of residents and business owners.

Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters, and are not uncommon for certain areas within the City of Batavia and Genesee County. Conditions that cause floods include heavy or steady rain for several hours or days that saturates the ground, or flash floods occurring suddenly due to rapidly rising water along a stream or low-lying area.

Flood effects can be local, impacting a neighborhood/community or large affecting the entire county.  And there are major differences between flash floods and those that develop slowly, over a period of days and even weeks.

Be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live, but especially if you live in a low-lying area, near water or downstream from a dam. Even very small streams, gullies, creeks, or low-lying ground that appears harmless in dry weather can flood and become potentially dangerous.

As a way for you to better prepare for potential flooding we have made available several links related to FLOOD Preparedness.

If you should have any questions related to FLOOD or EMERGENCY Preparedness you may contact City Fire Headquarters and ask to speak to the duty officer (585-345-6375).

Web Site Links for Flood Information:

Tonawanda Creek Levels - Batavia

https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=buf&gage=btvn6

Ready .Gov

https://www.ready.gov/floods

CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/index.html

Flood Smart.Gov

https://www.floodsmart.gov/

Red Cross

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-o...

OSHA

https://www.osha.gov/dts/weather/flood/preparedness.html

NYS-DOH

https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/flood/

FEMA – Flood Insurance Program

https://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program

 

You should become familiar with these terms used to identify flood hazards:

Flood Watch means flooding is possible. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for further information.

Flash Flood Watch means flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for further information.

Flood Warning means flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

Flash Flood Warning means flash flooding is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.