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Tag: flood advisory

  • Flood advisory issued for North Texas until 3 a.m. Wednesday, according to the NWS

    Flood advisory issued for North Texas until 3 a.m. Wednesday, according to the NWS

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    On Wednesday at 12:44 a.m. the National Weather Service issued a flood advisory. The advisory is for Bosque, Erath, Hamilton, Hill, Johnson, McLennan and Somervell counties.

    Urban and small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected for portions of central and north central Texas, including in central Texas, Bosque, Hamilton, Hill and McLennan counties. In north central Texas, Erath, Johnson and Somervell until 3 a.m.

    “Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas,” comments the NWS. “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”

    This advisory is in effect until 3 a.m.

    Recommendations from the NWS for staying safe during a flood

    If you live in a flood-prone area or are camping in a low-lying area, get to higher ground immediately. If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Lock your home when you leave. If you have time, disconnect utilities and appliances. Don’t go into a basement, or any room, if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged. If you see sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping noises, get out. Stay out of water that may have electricity in it. Don’t walk through flood waters. It only takes 6 inches of moving water to knock you off your feet. If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible.

    When heavy rain occurs, there is a risk of flooding, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone regions. It is important to never attempt to drive through water on the road, regardless of how deep it appears. According to the NWS, as little as 12 inches of rushing water can sweep away most vehicles.

    Rainy weather driving tips

    • Turn on headlights — Even in daylight, using headlights can help improve visibility and let other drivers know where you are.

    • While on the road — Opt for the middle lanes and remain on higher ground. Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.

    • Keep clear of puddles — Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control

    • Give ample space to large vehicles — Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.

    • Steer clear of flooded areas — When coming to a flooded road, turn around and head back. Flash flooding currents are strong and can sweep drivers off roadways. Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle’s mechanical and electrical systems.

    What is hydroplaning?

    Hydroplaning is the term for when a vehicle begins sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.

    This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle’s weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. The three main causes of hydroplaning are:

    1. Vehicle speed — When a vehicle’s speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases. Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.

    2. Water depth — The deeper the water, the sooner a vehicle loses traction on the road. It doesn’t matter how deep the water is, even a thin layer can lead to hydroplaning.

    3. Tire tread depth — Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.

    In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here’s what to know:

    • Ease off the accelerator — Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.

    • Turn into the skid — Turning into the skid can help the vehicle’s tires realign to regain control.

    • Make sure the tires reconnect with the road — During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.

    • Brake gently as needed — Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.

    Source: The National Weather Service

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  • Flood advisory for Johnson County Sunday evening, according to the NWS

    Flood advisory for Johnson County Sunday evening, according to the NWS

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    The NWS Fort Worth TX issued a flood advisory at 3:52 p.m. on Sunday.

    Urban and small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected for Johnson County in North Texas until 6:15 p.m.

    “Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas,” describes the NWS. “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”

    This advisory is in effect until 6:15 p.m.

    Protect yourself during a flood with these tips from the NWS

    In case you reside within a flood-prone area or are currently camping in a low-lying zone, it is crucial to promptly seek higher ground. If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Ensure your home is securely locked when vacating the premises. If time permits, disconnect utilities and appliances. Avoid entering basements or rooms with submerged electrical outlets or cords. Should you observe sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping sounds, evacuate immediately. Refrain from entering water that might carry an electric current and avoid walking through floodwaters. Remember, as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. If trapped by moving water, seek the highest possible point and contact emergency services by calling 911.

    During heavy rainfall, there is a risk of flooding, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Remember to never drive through water on the road, even if it seems shallow. According to the NWS, as little as 12 inches of rapidly flowing water can carry away most cars.

    Rainy weather driving tips

    • Switch on headlights — Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.

    • On the road — Drive in the middle lanes and stay on high ground. Rainwater tends to stockpile on the edges of roads.

    • Avoid puddles — Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.

    • Give ample space to large vehicles — Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.

    • Avoid flooded zones — If you encounter a flooded road, make a U-turn and go back. The powerful currents of flash floods can carry drivers off the road. Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle’s mechanical and electrical systems.

    What is hydroplaning?

    Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle begins to slide uncontrollably on wet roads.

    This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle’s weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. Hydroplaning is most commonly attributed to three factors:

    1. Vehicle speed — When a vehicle’s speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases. Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.

    2. Water depth — The deeper the water, the sooner a vehicle loses traction on the road. It doesn’t matter how deep the water is, even a thin layer can lead to hydroplaning.

    3. Tire tread depth — Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.

    In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here’s what to know:

    • Ease off the accelerator — Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.

    • Turn into the skid — Turning into the skid can help the vehicle’s tires realign to regain control.

    • Make sure the tires reconnect with the road — During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.

    • Brake gently as needed — Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.

    Source: The National Weather Service

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  • A river rescue, pounding hail in SoCal. Meanwhile, a significant late-season storm is brewing

    A river rescue, pounding hail in SoCal. Meanwhile, a significant late-season storm is brewing

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    At least one person was rescued from the Los Angeles River as a fast-moving storm rolled through Southern California on Sunday, delivering pounding hail, rain and thunder to the region.

    Rescuers were called to the river near Whitsett Avenue in Studio City around 5 p.m. after a 35-year-old woman was found in “less than knee-depth” water, according to Brian Humphrey, a spokesman with the Los Angeles Fire Department.

    The water was moving at about 15 mph, which continued to sweep the woman downstream even after crews threw her a flotation device and lowered a 24-foot wooden ladder, he said. She was finally rescued by an LAFD helicopter crew using a hoist cable and harness.

    “She and her LAFD rescuer have been safely hoisted aboard the aircraft,” Humphrey said, adding that she would receive care for “minor injuries” as she was flown to a hospital.

    The rescue came not long after residents reported powerful bursts of rain and pea-sized hail in areas including Santa Monica, downtown L.A., Pasadena, Monrovia and Covina, according to the National Weather Service, which also issued a flood advisory in the San Fernando Valley and the San Gabriel Valley through 7 p.m. Sunday.

    Meanwhile, forecasters were looking ahead to a rare late-season “high-impact” storm that could reach the area by Friday, according to Robbie Munroe, a meteorologist with the NWS in Oxnard.

    Sunday’s bout of stormy weather was driven by a cold system moving south across the Southland, Munroe said.

    “What the cold air aloft helps to do is create the instability that is supporting the heavier showers and thunderstorms that we’re experiencing this afternoon,” he said, adding the agency was also investigating reports of damaging wind gusts and severe hail measuring an inch in diameter or larger.

    Videos posted to social media showed hail pummeling windshields, coating driveways and accumulating in yards on Sunday afternoon.

    Areas under the flood advisory could see rainfall amounts of half an inch or more in a relatively short time period, Munroe said. Totals, however, generally have been less than a 10th or 20th of an inch.

    But even scant moisture is something of a rarity so late in the wet season, which typically runs from October to April.

    On Saturday, Oxnard and Lancaster both set daily rainfall records with 0.59 inches and 0.53 inches, respectively, the NWS said. The previous records for the date were set in 1935.

    The storm was expected to weaken Sunday night into Monday, with the main focus remaining on gusty northerly winds across the L.A. County mountains, and a possible dusting of snow at high elevations along the Grapevine.

    But the “biggest story” of the week is the potential for a significant late-season storm to arrive in the Los Angeles area between Friday and Sunday, Munroe said.

    “Early projections place us maybe around an inch to 3 inches for a lot of areas — maybe even locally higher for our south-facing mountains,” he said.

    The forecast is still developing and could change, he added, “but there is potential for it to be a moderate- or high-impact system for us, which is getting into the late season for Southern California.”

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    Hayley Smith

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  • Treacherous surf pounds California amid flood advisories and coastal evacuations

    Treacherous surf pounds California amid flood advisories and coastal evacuations

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    California’s first huge swells of the winter are wreaking havoc on the state’s coastline as an incoming atmospheric river storm is forcing evacuations amid flooding of beach and coastal roads.

    Marin County residents in the Calles Pinos, Pradero, Sierra, Onda Resaca, Ribera and Embarcadero areas as well as Calle de Arroyo were ordered to temporarily evacuate Thursday morning due to high risk of wave damage and coastal flooding. Evacuated residents were told to head to the Stinson Beach Community Center.

    Santa Cruz County issued an evacuation warning Thursday on X, formerly known as Twitter, for coastal areas near Seacliff State Beach because of flooding.

    Within the evacuation area, the tourist hot spot known as the Rio del Mar Esplanade is currently flooded with several inches of storm water. On X, the California Highway Patrol cautions that residents avoid the area and not attempt to drive across or through.

    According to the National Weather Service’s coastal flood warning for the Bay Area, large breaking waves are causing significant flooding of beach and coastal roads. The waves are depositing large amounts of debris and causing road closures.

    A surfer rides a wave at Surfer’s Point on Thursday in Ventura.

    (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)

    The San Francisco Bay Area coast could see waves up to 40 feet in some locations. The National Weather Service issued a warning for residents to stay away from rocks, jetties, piers and other waterside infrastructure.

    In Southern California, the waves aren’t expected to be as big, but high surf is expected through Saturday, meteorologists said. In Ventura County, waves of up to 12 feet have already been reported, and the Central Coast has seen 18- to 20-foot swells, said Mike Wofford with the National Weather Service’s Oxnard office.

    In a beachside community in Ventura, residents watched as waves washed trash bins away, sending foaming streams of seawater into neighborhood streets.

    A high surf advisory went into effect at 4 a.m. Thursday for Point Conception in Santa Barbara County and Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Palos Verdes Peninsula beaches in Los Angeles County, all of which can expect sets of 15- to 20-foot waves and dangerous rip currents.

    “We’re expecting the highest waves today to be arriving either late morning or early afternoon and then, maybe some drops in height tomorrow, but still well above normal,” Wofford said.

    The waves will pick back up Saturday when another surge of higher swells arrives.

    There have been really strong storms over the Pacific Ocean that “we don’t necessarily see because they move up to the north or go in some other direction,” Wofford said.

    While the storms are moving through, strong winds can form big waves, which “propagate out along, and the waves just come barreling right in,” he said.

    A Harbor Patrol lifeguard jumps a wave near Ventura Pier on Thursday.

    A Harbor Patrol lifeguard jumps a wave near Ventura Pier on Thursday.

    (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)

    Along with the high surf advisory, the National Weather Service issued a coastal flood advisory through 10 p.m. Saturday.

    Although no structural or road damage is expected, there is an increased risk for drowning, the agency warned. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea, and large breaking waves can cause injuries, wash people off beaches or rocks and capsize small boats.

    “Never turn your back to the ocean,” the National Weather Service said on X.

    Rain won’t be compounding the waves in the Los Angeles County area, as the forecast doesn’t call for rain until early Saturday and will continue for most of the day until it tapers off, Wofford said.

    There’s a 30% to 40% chance of rain Sunday into Monday, but it will be in the form of light showers.

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    Karen Garcia

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