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Oh, my Lord, I didn't know it was already coming down the street. Yeah, the buyer was out. Oh my. It's time we got out of here. Tropical Storm Allison hit southeast Texas hard in early June 2001, particularly the Houston Galveston's metropolitan area.

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Despite similar events in the past 100 years, extensive flood control projects, accurate forecasts and continuous media coverage. Allison caused 22 deaths and $5.1 billion dollars in damage. Although torrential rainfall can be produced by extra tropical cyclones stalled, warm or cold fronts and slow moving individual thunderstorms.

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The greatest threat for extensive flooding comes from tropical cyclones, which includes depressions, tropical storms or hurricanes and their remnants. The arrival of a new tropical cyclone season brings the opportunity to learn how to protect ourselves and communities from floods. Especially given the recent lessons from Alison.

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As residents of southeast texas, we should know why our area is particularly prone to flooding and steps we can take to protect ourselves and our communities. The Houston Galveston's area is no stranger to inland flooding either from tropical or non tropical systems, even though the flooding

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from Allison was some of the worst Houston has ever seen, devastating floods also occurred in 1929 and 1935 on Buffalo Bayou, 1949 on brays, Bayou, 1979 on chocolate and alligator bayous from tropical storm Claudette, 1994 with the october floods and 1998 from tropical storm Frances. Other

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localized or minor flooding occurs on a more frequent basis. It should be no surprise that the Houston Galveston's area is prone to flooding given the proximity to the warm, moist air of the gulf of Mexico, the nearly flat terrain which slows runoff, the spiderweb of bayou

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streams and rivers and the risk from tropical cyclones in the summer and stalled or slow moving extra tropical systems from fall through spring. In 1999, research by Ed Rappaport, a hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center, found that Inland flooding contributed to 57% of the deaths

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associated with tropical cyclones in the United States. Since 1970. Moreover, coastal populations are swelling with 60% of US residents now living in Hawaii Puerto, Rico and the coastal states from Maine to Texas. Inland flooding can be produced during any phase of a tropical system and is

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proportional to the forward movement of the storm. The rule of thumb for the maximum rainfall amount expected is to divide 100 by the storm speed. For example, a storm moving 10 miles an hour would be forecast to produce a maximum rainfall of 10 inches. Therefore the

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worst flooding comes from storms which meander less than 10 miles an hour. In 1979 tropical storm Claudette moved at two miles an hour and generated two day storm totals up to 45 inches, including the U. S. National record 43 inches in 24 hours At Alvin texas.

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Tropical storm Allison in 2001 produced 15 to 37 inches of rain over the eastern half of Harris County in two episodes. One attempt to mitigate the damage and danger from floods has been through flood control projects. The 1935 flood on Buffalo Bayou was a catalyst for

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formation of the Harris County Flood Control District in 1937, and building of the Barker Reservoir in 1945 and the Addicks Reservoir in 1948. Additional projects since then have included channel rectification on white oak raise and sims by use. This included deepening and straightening the channel lining

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the channel with concrete and building retention areas. Harris County flood control district took another step in 1980 with a policy of no downstream impact for new developments. In essence, the requirement for retention or metering systems to control runoff. Additional efforts such as the Brays Bayou Federal

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Project are ongoing and aim to further reduce the number of homes and businesses in the 100 year floodplain by 2012. The streets and many of the newer subdivisions are also designed as flood ways as homes are built above grade flood ways greatly reduce the damage to

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homes but have serious implications for evacuation and personal safety. Finally, the National Weather Service, Rice University and other researchers are working to better detect and forecast tropical systems and their resulting flooding knowing that inland flooding from tropical cyclones has occurred in the past and will occur

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again is only a first step. Large flood control projects will lessen the impact of flooding, but their completion date is years away and even then many homes in southeast texas will remain at risk. What can individuals do to protect themselves? Property and communities? Five simple steps

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can nearly eliminate the risks of death, injury and financial loss from inland flooding. These are one protect your past the 15 minute rule to protect yourself by flood insurance. Three protect your future flood proof your home. Four protect your peace of mind, save your life And

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five protect others never drive on flooded roads. The first step is to protect your past the 15 minute rule, most of us have accumulated a large number of possessions. Many of these are replaceable, but a few special items are not flood victims often state they wish

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they had saved pictures, important documents, for instance, a marriage license, collectibles, jewelry and so on from flood waters. In many cases they didn't have the means nor the time to transport the valuables to safety. A very simple solution to save valuables and protect your past is

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to buy large plastic tubs with locking tops on them. These tubs can hold small valuables and can in turn be put in the attic or evacuated with you when floodwaters threatened home improvement hardware and discount stores carry them with prices ranging from 20 to $50 each,

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but this is only a start since there is often little time to collect valuables and secure them after receiving a flood warning, Regular storage of valuables in the tubs will greatly reduce the amount of time it takes to move them all valuables should be secured and

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able to be moved within 15 minutes. This is the 15 minute rule. The second step in protecting yourself and community from inland flooding is to protect your present by flood insurance. Once irreplaceable valuables are safeguarded, you should consider protecting possessions that can be replaced but cost

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a lot to do so. The largest financial asset for most people is their home. Many have an emotional tie to their home and neighborhood. So protecting the ability to repair or replace your home is important. The irony is that the low cost of flood insurance is

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one of the best deals around most homeowners policies do not cover flood damage too often. Homeowners find this out after they have been flooded. Most homeowners live outside the 100 year floodplain, the area which has a 1% chance per year or a 30% chance over a

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standard 30 year mortgage of being flooded. However, extensive flooding occurred outside the 100 year floodplain during tropical storm Allison. All homeowners should consider flood insurance, which is available from the National flood insurance program or the N. F. I. P. This program is administered by the federal

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government available through your regular insurance agent or from the N. F. I. P. Very reasonably priced and covers flood damage. How reasonably priced An example from 2001 shows that coverage for a $150,000 home and $38,000 worth of content is only $251 per year. More than 25%

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of N. F. I. P. Claims have come from structures outside identified floodplains, meaning those who had the coverage got a great bargain. The third step in protecting yourself and community from inland flooding is to protect your future flood proof your home, even if you have protected

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your valuables with tubs and your home with flood insurance, repairing flood damage in your home takes time and can be a hassle. There are simple low cost ways to prevent damage and minimize the dist eruption of normal activities, flooding usually causes for example if water starts

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to enter your home, shutting off the power at the main circuit breaker will prevent appliances from short circuiting and eliminate the threat of electrocution to those in the home. Also, outside air conditioning units can be raised on platforms above ground level storing rarely used items in

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the attic or expensive items on high shelves will reduce the chance floodwaters could cause damage. The fourth step in protecting yourself and community from inland flooding is to protect your peace of mind, save your life, having your possessions protected, allows you to focus on making good

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decisions to save your life during a flood event. In many emergency situations, people either panic or withdraw, neither of which helps in taking the right actions, gathering information and developing a plan of action helps alleviate these adverse reactions. A good source of information is a NOAA

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weather radio. These radios receive continuous broadcasts of forecast statements and warnings from the National Weather Service 24 hours a day. Most of the newer models have an alarm feature that will sound a tone when a warning is issued for your county. NoAA weather radios are available

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at electronic stores and through internet websites, generally costing from 15 to $75. A plan of action can be started by checking a set of detailed maps for your county. These allow you to plan an evacuation route and alternatives if your primary route is blocked by floodwaters

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or traffic. Most metropolitan areas have detailed maps available. The 5th step in protecting yourself and community from Inland flooding is to protect others never drive on flooded roads. It might seem strange to associate protecting others with driving on flooded roads. However, consider this question. Would you

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drive directly toward a tornado yet? How many times have you seen people drive directly into floodwaters despite consistent warnings to avoid flooded roads over the past 30 years, the majority who lose their lives from floods are swept away in their vehicles or drown after evacuating a

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stalled vehicle 19 of the 22 deaths and many of the emergency rescues during tropical storm Allison were related to driving or walking through floodwaters. The true success rate of flood awareness efforts is unknown, but the mortality and rescue statistics indicate the message of avoiding flooded roads

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is still not effective. Therefore, consider the impact driving on flooded roads has on others. The police fire and other rescuers whose lives are unnecessarily put at risk when trying to rescue motorists whose cars have stalled or are being swept away by floodwaters. Moreover, rescuers who are

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focused on stranded motorists are not available to help others in need, such as medical emergencies or evacuating the elderly or handicapped residents. Most of the deaths during Allison occurred when people were swept away in vehicles or walked through floodwaters from stalled vehicles. In contrast, only three

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died of electrocution from the 48,000 plus homes flooded, You are probably safest staying at your current location unless specifically told to evacuate major inland flooding from tropical cyclones has occurred in southeast texas and will occur again. Flood control projects and development planning can reduce some of

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the risk, but a substantial threat from flooding will remain for many, the five steps of protecting your past, protecting your present, protecting your future, protecting your peace of mind and protecting others are simple, low cost ways to significantly reduce the risk to your life and property

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from flooding. Nearly all deaths from flooding are preventable irreplaceable possessions can be protected and physical and financial losses to homes drastically reduced. The only question is whether we choose to act