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Major
Flooding in U.S. a Sign of Things to Come
This Season
WASHINGTON, DC - Current Major
Flooding in U.S. a Sign of Things to Come
This Season; NOAA Urges Communities to
Prepare During Flood Safety Awareness Week
Major floods striking America’s heartland
this week offer a preview of the spring
seasonal outlook, according to NOAA’s
National Weather Service. Several factors
will contribute to above-average flood
conditions, including record rainfall in
some states and snow packs, which are
melting and causing rivers and streams to
crest over their banks. This week, more than
250 communities in a dozen states are
experiencing flood conditions.
The science supporting NOAA’s short-term
forecasts allows for a high level of
certainty. National Weather Service
forecasters highlighted potential for the
current major flood event a week in advance
and began working with emergency managers to
prepare local communities for the impending
danger.
“We expect rains and melting snow to bring
more flooding this spring,” said Vickie
Nadolski, deputy director of NOAA’s National
Weather Service. “Americans should be on
high alert to flood conditions in your
communities. Arm yourselves with information
about how to stay safe during a flood and do
not attempt to drive on flooded roadways –
remember to always turn around, don’t
drown.”
Nadolski called on local emergency
management officials to continue
preparations for a wet spring and focus on
public education to ensure heightened
awareness of the potential for dangerous
local conditions.Spring Flood Outlook
Above-normal flood potential is evident in
much of the Mississippi River basin, the
Ohio River basin, the lower Missouri River
basin, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, most of New
York, all of New England, and portions of
the West, including Colorado and Idaho:
* Heavy winter snow combined with recent
rain indicates parts of Wisconsin and
Illinois should see minor to moderate
flooding, with as much as a 20 to 30 percent
chance of major flooding on some rivers in
southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
* Current snow depth in some areas of
upstate New York and New England is more
than a foot greater than usual for this time
of the year, which increases flood potential
in the Connecticut River Valley.* Locations
in the mountains of Colorado and Idaho have
150 to 200 percent of average water
contained in snowpack leading to a higher
than normal flood potential.
Snowfall has been normal or above normal
across most of the West this winter;
however, preexisting dryness in many areas
will prevent most flooding in this region.
Runoff from snow pack is expected to
significantly improve stream flows compared
to last year for the West.
Spring Drought Outlook
The drought outlook indicates continued
general improvement in the Southeast,
although some reservoirs are unlikely to
recover before summer.Winter precipitation
chipped away at both the western and
southeastern drought. On the U.S. Drought
Monitor, extreme drought coverage dropped
from nearly 50 percentin mid-December to
less than 20 percent in the Southeast for
March.* Overall, the Southeast had
near-average rainfall during the winter with
some areas wetter than average.
Nevertheless, lingering water supply
concerns and water restrictions continue in
parts of the region.* We expect drought to
continue in parts of the southern Plains
despite some recent heavy rain. Parts of
Texas received less than 25 percent of
normal rainfall in the winter, leading 165
counties to enact burn bans by mid-March.
Seasonal forecasts for warmth and dryness
suggest
drought will expand northward and westward
this spring.
During the spring season, weather can change
quickly – from drought to flooding to severe
weather, including outbreaks of tornadoes.
People can stay abreast of day-to-day
weather fluctuations, as well as lifesaving
advisories, watches and warnings, by
purchasing a NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards
receiver and visiting http://www.weather.gov.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, an agency of the U.S.
Commerce Department, is dedicated to
enhancing economic security and national
safety through the prediction and research
of weather and climate-related events and
information service delivery for
transportation, and by providing
environmental stewardship of our nation's
coastal and marine resources. Through the
emerging Global Earth Observation System of
Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its
federal partners, more than 70 countries and
the European Commission to develop a global
monitoring network that is as integrated as
the planet it observes, predicts and
protects.
NOTE: Graphics related to this spring flood
and drought forecast are available within
the online version of this release appearing
on NOAA.gov.
On the Web:
Flood Awareness Week: http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov
National Hydrologic Assessment (Flood Risk):
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/oh/hic/nho/index.shtml
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center’s Drought
Assessment Products (Weekly Drought Monitor
and
Three Month Outlook):
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/expert_assessment/drought_assessment.shtml
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