Significant River Flood Outlook
October 10th, 2016
Legend description:
- Occurring or Imminent – Significant flooding is already occurring or is forecast to occur during the outlook period.
- Likely – Weather conditions indicate that significant flooding can be expected during the outlook period.
- Possible – Weather conditions indicate that significant flooding could occur. Such flooding is neither certain nor imminent.
- Storm surge is the abnormal rise of water generated by a storm’s winds. This hazard is historically the leading cause of hurricane related deaths in the United States. Storm surge and large battering waves can result in large loss of life and cause massive destruction along the coast.
- Storm surge can travel several miles inland, especially along bays, rivers, and estuaries.
- Flooding from heavy rains is the second leading cause of fatalities during landfalling tropical cyclones. Widespread torrential rains from tropical storms and hurricanes often cause flooding hundreds of miles inland. This flooding can persist for several days after a storm.
- Winds from a hurricane can destroy buildings and mobile homes. Debris, such as signs, roofing material, and items left outside can become flying missiles during hurricanes.
- Tornadoes are often produced by landfalling tropical storms and hurricanes. These tornadoes typically occur in rain bands well away from the center of the hurricane.
- Dangerous waves produced by a hurricane’s strong winds can pose a significant hazard to coastal residents and mariners. These waves can cause deadly rip currents, significant beach erosion, and damage to structures along the coastline, even when the storm is more than a 1,000 miles offshore.