Weird Atlanta Weather – Flooding Awareness

Last week I mentioned how March can bring out the worst in the weather. Let’s add the tornado in Atlanta to that list. In terms of tornado frequency among the states, Georgia is in the middle. It’s not near the top of the list (as is Kansas and Oklahoma, which are in “Tornado Alley”) but it’s not down near the bottom of the list (like Alaska or Washington State).

The greatest threat of a tornado would be in April or May, so Friday’s event is a little unusual. It is even more unusual to have a tornado appear within a major city is extremely uncommon. The last major city to catch a tornado was salt Lake City on August 11, 1999. Having appeared on CNN in Atlanta several times, it is amazing that there wasn’t more damage to this part of town. Thank God. And, no we did not say tornadoes for our predictions – just windy and rain. We are cheering for any rain in the Southeast but the kinder and gentler type is preferred.

This is Flood Awareness Week in New England and elsewhere. Here are some terms ( form the National Weather Service) to remember:

Flood Warnings for major rivers – these warnings are issued specifically for major rivers and include forecasts of water levels and/ or flows at certain points along the river.

Flood Warnings for small rivers and streams – These warnings are issued by your local county for smaller rivers and streams.

Flash Flood Warnings – These are issued for rivers and streams in a specific area when rapid rises are expected to cause flooding and immediate action may be needed to save lives or protect property.

Urban Flood Advisories – these advisories are issued for urban areas or small streams when the normal drainage is unable to handle the volume of runoff from the heavy rain and/ or snowmelt.

Obviously, not all parts of the US and Canada are facing flood problems. But, there are significant areas that have had high moisture content snow and the closer we get to April and quick warming, the greater the potential for minor or major flooding. We had very similar conditions in March of 1987 which led to massive floods in Northern New England.

Be prepared.