Don't Take A Chance
What are the chances it will flood where you live, work, and play?
Floods are Pennsylvania’s most common natural disaster. Floods are not all the same and not created equal.
Some floods develop slowly, while others, such as flash floods, can develop in just a few minutes and without visible signs of rain. Flash floods can actually occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall, a dam or levee failure or a sudden release of water held by an ice jam.
The most common type of flooding is overland flooding. Overland flooding typically occurs when waterways such as rivers or streams overflow their banks due to rainwater. It can also occur when rainfall or snowmelt exceeds the capacity of underground pipes or streets and drains designed to carry flood water away from urban areas.
Areas more susceptible to flooding are low-lying areas, near water, behind a levee, or downstream from a dam. Even small streams, gullies, creeks, culverts, dry streambeds, or the low-lying ground that isn't at regular risk for flooding can flood.
There are many steps you should take to prepare for floods. The first step is to Know Your Risk! Since flooding can occur anywhere it rains, it is important to understand the weather where you live and work and how the weather could impact you and your loved ones.