- Always stay a safe distance away (at least 25 feet) from warning signs, buoys, and barriers when fishing, boating, or swimming.
- Stay away from the edge of waters above and below hydroelectric stations.
- Stay back from dry riverbeds below dams. They can quickly change into rapidly flowing waterways.
- Flashing lights, horns, or sirens.
- Increased or changed wildlife activity.
- Louder sound of rushing water.
- Previously exposed rocks or snags are covered with water.
- Clear water quickly becomes cloudy.
- Suddenly faster water currents.
- Never anchor a boat below a dam. Rapid surges in water levels can pull an anchored boat underwater in seconds.
- Beware of dangerous and unseen currents. Backrollers, eddies, and whirlpools can pull a boat upstream into a spillway and quickly capsize it.
- Boating above or below a dam can be very dangerous. Always maintain a safe distance from the dam.
- Keep your motor running when near a dam so that you are always ready to maneuver or leave the area quickly.
- Stay away from spillways. Changing currents and unpredictable waves make boat control difficult.
Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other severe weather-related hazard. People often underestimate the force and power of water. More than half of all flood-related deaths result from vehicles being swept downstream. Of these, many are preventable.
Follow These Safety Rules:
- Monitor the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards or your favorite news source for vital weather-related information.
- If flooding occurs, get to higher ground. Get out of areas subject to flooding. This includes dips, low spots, canyons, washes, etc.
- Avoid areas already flooded, especially if the water is flowing fast. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams. Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
- Road beds may be washed out under flood waters. Never drive through flooded roadways. Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
- Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and rivers, particularly during threatening conditions.
- Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
