Florida is seeing flooding. Here are some tips to stay safe as rain brings more

It’s been a rainy week for parts of Florida. Yesterday, parts of Jacksonville saw flooding after more than 5 inches of rain fell before noon.

According to a Wednesday report from News4Jax , “Flooding was reported on Philips Highway, Bowden Road, Naldo Avenue, San Marco Boulevard and other streets throughout San Marco, Downtown Jacksonville, Englewood and more.”

And more rain is coming. Here’s the weather outlook for the rest of the week, the difference between flooding and flash flooding and some tips for navigating flooding.

Are there any storms forming in the Atlantic right now?

According to a morning tropics update from TCPalm on Thursday, September 5 , there are currently five tropical disturbances expected to bring heavy rain to portions of Florida throughout this week.

“The system could bring six to 10 inches of rain across the coastal Panhandle and west Big Bend area of Florida through the weekend, and some areas could see more than 12 inches, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management,” Accuweather said in a USA TODAY Network-Florida report. “It's expected to reach the Atlantic coast by the weekend.”

What is the difference between flash floods and floods?

According to the National Weather Service’s flood definitions , the difference between a normal flood and a flash flood is the amount of time it takes to flood.

“Flooding is a longer-term event than flash flooding: it may last days or weeks. A (flash flood is) caused by heavy or excessive rainfall in a short period of time, generally less than 6 hours,” the NWS website says.

“Flash floods are usually characterized by raging torrents after heavy rains that rip through river beds, urban streets, or mountain canyons sweeping everything before them. They can occur within minutes or a few hours of excessive rainfall.”

According to NOAA, the shorter time frame and sudden nature of flash flooding makes it more dangerous than other kinds of flooding.

“Flash floods are the most dangerous kind of floods, because they combine the destructive power of a flood with incredible speed. Flash floods occur when heavy rainfall exceeds the ability of the ground to absorb it,” NOAA’s website says .

“They also occur when water fills normally dry creeks or streams or enough water accumulates for streams to overtop their banks, causing rapid rises of water in a short amount of time. They can happen within minutes of the causative rainfall, limiting the time available to warn and protect the public.”

What areas of Florida are most flood prone?

Almost everywhere in Florida has some level of flooding risk. Water shapes our state, from the freshwater springs, to the lakes, rivers, swamps, marshes and oceans – it’s hard to avoid flood zones in Florida.

“Flooding is one of Florida's most frequent hazards. It is a coast-to-coast threat that can occur at any time of the year,” according to FloridaDisaster.org.

“There are different reasons a community may flood; storm surge, river flooding, or heavy rainfall. Low-lying or poorly drained areas can also increase a community's flood risk.”

How do I stay safe during a flood?

Here are some tips from the National Weather Service for how to stay safe during and after a flood.

During a flood:

• Stay informed: Tune into your local news for updates on flooding in progress.
• Get to higher ground if you are in an area that is subject to flooding.
• Follow evacuation orders and heed warning signs.
• If you have time before you evacuate, disconnect utilities and appliances.
• Avoid floodwaters: It is NEVER safe to drive or walk through them.

After a flood:

• Tune into your local news for updates on affected areas and the safety of your drinking water.
• Avoid floodwaters: Standing water can hide chemicals that can make you sick, power lines that can cause electrocution and sharp debris that can seriously harm you.
• Avoid disaster areas: Your presence may hamper emergency operations.
• Heed road closure and cautionary signs.
• Wait for the “all-clear” before returning to an area that was impacted by flooding.
• Contact your family and loved ones to let them know you are okay.

What happens if your car is in a flash flood?

During hurricane season in Florida, flooding and heavy rains are pretty normal and an almost-everyday occurrence in some parts of the state.

Schools and businesses don’t close for run-of-the-mill thunderstorms; otherwise, Floridians would barely be able to go to work or school during the late summer and early fall months.

You might just be trying to get to or from work without drowning, or out and about running errands when a summer thunderstorm hits. Regardless, there are still safety precautions you can take if you’re caught in a flood in your car.

Here are some safety tips for driving during a flash flood warning, from the National Auto Collision Centers:

• Don’t try to drive through flooded conditions: “Even if the water ahead of your car doesn’t look deep, you still shouldn’t try to drive through it. Not only can the appearance of flood water be deceptive, but the ground itself could be unstable and dangerous to drive on. If you see flood water ahead of your vehicle, either stop driving or take another route. Even six inches of water can be enough to cause your vehicle to stall.”
• If your car is submerged, get out immediately: “If your vehicle is submerging, it’s essential that you leave your vehicle right away. Roll down your window or break it if necessary. If your vehicle is filling with water and your windows won’t open, remain calm. Wait for the car to fill with water. At that point, you should be able to open your car door and swim to the surface.”
• Try to avoid contact with flood water: “If possible, avoid direct contact with flood water. Flood water can contain any number of dangerous contaminants, including sewage, industrial waste, and hazardous chemicals. There’s also the danger of electrocution. If you see a flooded area, the safest thing to do is to get as far away from it as possible.”

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida is seeing flooding. Here are some tips to stay safe as rain brings more