(Des Moines) Day five of Severe Weather Awareness Week focuses on Flood safety. Flooding can occur in the United States at any time of the year and causes more damage than any other weather-related event. On average, floods cause eight billion dollars in damages and eighty-nine fatalities annually. That is why it is so important to be prepared should flooding occur.
Jim Lee, a Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Des Moines, says the agency issues a number of flash flood warnings each year in Iowa.
Audio PlayerLee says people usually think of flash flooding during hurricanes or in the mountains. However, Iowa has experienced significant flash flooding. Take northwest Iowa last summer, for example.
Audio PlayerJim Lee says now is the time before the severe weather season ramps up, to talk to your family, or business, know how to receive warnings, and the actions that need to be taken to stay safe during a severe weather event.
