Latest news with #flashflood
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Officials warn of potential flash floods in burn scars and Zion National Park
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah () — Monsoon season is here, and the National Weather Service is warning of possible flash flooding along burn scars and in Zion National Park following heavy rainfall yesterday. Even though the Forsyth Fire continues to smolder above Pine Valley, they are already feeling the effects of the monsoon rain. A flash flood swept through part of the forest near the campground yesterday, washing debris across the road, but it was in an area that was already closed off to visitors. The slide came just before a public meeting regarding the flooding risk. 'It's frightening when a disaster happens. You think it's not going to ever happen to you,' said Pine Valley resident Michele Stephens. 'But then it does happen to you, and the realization comes that it can happen. And you realize you need to be prepared and that you're kind of helpless to Mother Nature.' Washington County officials say burnt ground can trigger flash floods for years. And with monsoon season underway, they're preparing for more. 'Pine Valley is one of our big concerns with the burn scar from the forest fire,' said Washington County Emergency Services Director Jason Whipple. 'And that tends to be a problematic area because of the runoff that comes down there and the debris that comes with it.' While Pine Valley remains a serious flash flood concern, the other area officials are watching closely is Zion National Park, especially with so many visitors in the slot canyons. 'These canyons are connected, and they're all part of a greater watershed system,' says Daniel Fagergren, Chief Park Ranger for Zion National Park. 'So if it rains in one small corner of the park, it's likely going to impact other areas in the park.' With monsoon season running through September, officials say now is the time to prepare, especially when visiting or living in an area with flood risk. 'Survey your property, look at some things that can be improved there,' Whipple adds. 'Things that might be low-lying, that might need sandbags like your home. And then watch the weather. Listen to any watches and warnings that come out.' From Zion to Pine Valley, the threat of flash floods is real, and even small storms can quickly become big problems. Officials say to stay weather aware, even if the skies look clear, and to be sure to sign up for emergency alerts. Joseph DeGolyer contributed to this report. Latest headlines: Republicans eye efforts to quiet Epstein uproar but can't quash it Utah spends the 3rd lowest amount of income on childcare in nation: Wallethub Utah's air tanker bases have already used 1.2 million gallons of retardant fighting wildfires One dead after Orem house fire Friday morning Officials warn of potential flash floods in burn scars and Zion National Park Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
17 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Firefighters rescue 5 people swept away by flash flood near Azusa
Firefighters rescued five people after a flash flood in the San Gabriel Mountains swept them away. The search and rescue operation happened at roughly 4:25 p.m. near Camp Williams, along East Fork Road, near Camp Williams Resort. The Los Angeles County Fire Department said it rescued five people, one of whom suffered an ankle injury. The others suffered minor injuries, such as scrapes. Firefighters said everyone involved in the rescue is accounted for. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the San Gabriel Mountains, west of Mount Baldy, until 7 p.m. The NWS recommended that anyone in the advisory area move to higher ground and move away from a burn scar area quickly. Residents should avoid walking or driving through floodwaters. The NWS also issued a special weather statement for strong winds in Ventura County, until 3:30 p.m., and communities near Covina, Glendora and San Dimas, until 4 p.m.
CBS News
19 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Flash flood warnings issued in San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties
The National Weather Service has issued flash flood warnings for some areas in San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties. Meteorologists issued the advisory for communities in the San Bernardino Mountains, including Lake Arrowhead, Blue Jay and Cedar Glen, until 4 p.m. The NWS also issued a broader flash flood warning for the communities near Lucerne Valley until 4:45 p.m. The NWS issued a flash flood warning for Big Bear City and Big Bear Lake, but those expired at 3:15 p.m. About 28,000 people will be affected by these advisories, according to the NWS. In L.A. County, meteorologists issued a flash flood warning in the San Gabriel Mountains, west of Mount Baldy. It will last until 6 p.m. This advisory will affect fewer people than the warnings in San Bernardino County, a little more than 60 people. The NWS recommended that anyone in the advisory areas to move to higher ground and to move away from a burn scar area quickly. Residents should avoid walking or driving through floodwaters. The NWS also issued a special weather statement for strong winds in Ventura County, until 3:30 p.m., and communities near Covina, Glendora and San Dimas, until 4 p.m.
CNN
a day ago
- Science
- CNN
Trump admin to proceed with groundbreaking flash flood risk database, reversing course after media reports
The Trump administration has changed course and is moving ahead with work to develop a new database that would provide Americans with precise estimates of their flash flood risk in a warming world, according to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration official and an internal NOAA email seen by CNN that was sent Friday morning. The administration had paused work on the portion of the database, known as Atlas 15, that is designed to show how a warming world is amplifying flood risks. The database would be the first such resource to take this into account and would have applications for everyone from civil engineers to prospective homeowners. After reporting by CNN and the Washington Post this week and following discussions between NOAA leadership and Commerce Department officials, NOAA received permission to move forward with both parts of the analysis through fiscal year 2026, the official said. As CNN previously reported, the pause came during a summer of deadly flash floods, including the disastrous flash flood event in Texas on the night of July 4 that killed at least 130 people. CNN has contacted NOAA for comment. Prev Next Atlas 15 would replace the outdated database of precipitation frequency estimates, known as Atlas 14, that does not take climate change to date into account, let alone future warming. Global warming is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme precipitation events, yet US infrastructure is currently designed based on Atlas 14's outdated information about the size and frequency of 100-year precipitation events. In other words, designers and builders of infrastructure in this country conduct their work with the notion that the worst rainfall events are occurring less frequently and are less severe than they are. The first phase of Atlas 15 updates the precipitation frequency estimates across the country but does not include climate change projections. That volume is slated to come out later this year and had not hit roadblocks. The second phase of Atlas 15, whose contracts were paused until Friday, is slated to come out in 2026. Contracts for work on Atlas 15 had been paused for about a month, raising suspicions that the project was in jeopardy due to its climate change content. Recently, the Trump administration has taken down the website, disbanded experts working on a congressionally-mandated national climate assessment and pursued other actions to stifle climate science research. When combined, the two volumes would comprise a national, interactive database of precipitation frequency estimates, including future projections, such as the statistical likelihood of a 100-year rainfall event at a particular spot each year. (A 100-year rainfall event is one that is so intense, it is only expected to occur once every 100 years on average.) The database will have information on how the likelihood and severity of 100-year rainfall events, as well as even rarer events – such as 1,000-year rainstorms, will shift depending on how much the planet warms during the next several decades. Atlas 15 is supposed to move NOAA, and those who depend on the agency, from an outdated assumption that the climate of today is roughly equivalent to that of several decades ago to a recognition that precipitation extremes are in the process of changing due largely to the burning of fossil fuels for energy and transportation. A pilot phase of Atlas 15, containing present day precipitation risk estimates solely for the state of Montana was released last year. It also shows how rainfall rates for 100-year events could increase with continued global warming. The Montana estimates include projections for precipitation frequency estimates at 3 degrees Celsius of global warming as well as 1.5 degrees of warming. The world has already warmed by at least 1.2 degrees.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Flash flood warning issued for Bucks County
A flash flood warning was issued by the National Weather Service in Mount Holly at 7:38 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16. This warning applies to Mercer and Bucks counties. The NWS warns: "Turn around, doN't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles." See weather radar for Bucks County What are NWS meteorologists saying? At 7:38 p.m., the NWS issued a statement: "The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a Flash Flood Warning for: West Central Mercer County in central New Jersey, Southeastern Bucks County in southeastern Pennsylvania, Until 11:45 p.m. EDT. At 7:38 p.m. EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD: Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE: Radar. IMPACT: Flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses as well as other drainage and low lying areas. Some locations that may experience flash flooding include: Philadelphia, Trenton, Bensalem, Ewing, Pennington, Yardley, Newtown, Langhorne, Woodside, Langhorn, Levittown and Washington Crossing." What is a flash flood? A flash flood is a flood caused by heavy or excessive rainfall in a short period of time, generally less than 6 hours, according to the NWS. Flash floods are usually characterized by raging torrents after heavy rains. A flash flood can be sudden and violent and take just minutes to develop. It is possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain. What's the difference between a flash flood watch and a flash flood warning? A flash flood warning is issued when a flood is imminent or occurring, the NWS says. If you are in a flood prone area, you should move immediately to high NWS issues a flash flood watch when flash flooding is possible. What to do during a flood warning If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Use a battery-operated radio or television to get the latest emergency information. Do not walk through floodwater. Just six inches of floodwater can sweep you off your feet if it is moving swiftly. Turn around, don't drown; do not drive into a flooded street. Cars can be swept away by two feet of moving water or there may be unseen damage to the road. If you come to a flooded area turn around and go another way. Most flood-related deaths are caused by people driving through water. Watch out for fire hazards. Move to higher ground. Stay alert, turn weather notifications on. Do not allow children to play in flowing water. Waters can hide rocks, trees and debris. Reporters Jana Hayes and Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez contributed to this article. This weather report was generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor. See the latest weather alerts and forecasts here This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Flash flood warning issued for Bucks County
