It appears that the area is in store for more wet weather on Thursday, contributing further to the local flooding we are currently experiencing.
The National Weather Service has extended a flash flood watch through the evening, predicting the area could see anywhere from a quarter to a half-inch of new precipitation. On the already saturated ground, this could spell bad news for homeowners already wary of the approaching floodwaters.
With climate change set to increase precipitation levels year on year, it could well be that we see more and more flash flooding as we head into the summer. For those of you who are at a higher risk of flooding, it is advisable to look at weather stations here and install one on your house. Monitoring rainfall is one of the best ways to determine whether flooding is imminent, and can give you time to prepare defenses such as sandbags and barriers.
The showers and thunderstorms are expected to roll in this afternoon and early evening. Friday appears to be a bit of a reprieve for the area, as partly sunny conditions and a high of 75 degrees F are expected. Bear in mind, however, that as the ground dries out, it becomes harder for rainfall to penetrate, so keep your defenses ready as we may see more flash flooding yet.
Key steps you should take should you experience flooding is to turn off your mains power to avoid an electrical fire. You should also turn off your mains water to avoid contaminated or burst pipes, and ensure you have a stock of bottled water ready should the flooding persist. Ideally, move any essential or expensive furniture to a higher floor to avoid water damage, and place sandbags at the doors to prevent water from seeping under.
