Flood Safety Awareness Week - NWS Water Resources

2022 Flood Safety Awareness Week is March 14th - 18th

--- Today’s topic is...National Weather Service Water Resources ---

Everyone lives in a flood zone...with their risk of flooding ranging from low...to moderate...to high. Floods are four times more likely to occur than a fire. Low hazard flood areas are also at risk...25% to 35% of all insurance claims each year are paid for property located outside high risk areas.

Just because you haven’t experienced a flood in the past, doesn’t mean you won’t in the future. Flood risk isn’t just based on history. It’s also based on a number of factors: rainfall, river flow, topography, flood-control measures, and changes due to building and development.

The NWS homepage, www.weather.gov, provides up to date weather and water advisory, watch, and warning information for the U.S. and its territories. However, the NWS provides many additional resources to help emergency managers, public officials and private citizens make water decisions.

Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS):
AHPS provides 5-day river forecasts in addition to long range probabilistic forecasts to serve your needs and the needs of all our partners in the protection of life and property from flood and other water hazards. https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=ilx

Flood Inundation Mapping:
The ability to look into the future to see how many city blocks and roads might be flooded is becoming clearer with flood inundation mapping. NOAA’s NWS and National Ocean Service are collaborating with the USGS, USACE, FEMA and other partners to develop these inundation maps for flooding. https://water.weather.gov/ahps/inundation.php

Weather Prediction Center (WPC) Precipitation Forecasts:

WPC provides precipitation forecasts for the entire U.S., including Puerto Rico. WPC also issues excessive rainfall forecasts, short-range discussions on heavy rainfall events, and snowfall and freezing rain probabilities. https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov

NWS River Forecast Centers (RFCs):

The National Weather Service has a network of thirteen RFCs across the United States. These RFCs collect, process, and provide water resource and river forecasts and information for major river basins across the country. https://water.weather.gov/ahps/rfc/rfc.php

Flood Safety Awareness Website:
On this page, you will find information on what to do before, during and after a flood. https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Weather Ready Nation:
Staying aware of an evolving weather situation can help you prepare when flooding or other weather hazards impact your area. Be a Force of Nature! https://www.weather.gov/wrn/force

Learn about flooding in Illinois:
It's important to know what kind of flooding you can expect in your area of the country so that you know how to prepare. Visit
https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood-map to find out what kind of flooding could impact your home!