Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS State College, PA

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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
534 AM EDT Fri Mar 22 2024

...Pennsylvania Flood Awareness Week 2024...

Today is the last day of Flood Awareness Week in Pennsylvania.

Today`s flooding topic: Flood alerts.

What is the difference between a Flood Watch and a Flood Warning?

Flash Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flash Flood Warning is issued
when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a
flood prone area move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is
a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to
develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas
not immediately receiving rain. Flash Flood Warnings are changing
to an Impact-Based format to improve public response. Read the
fact sheet available at
weather.gov/statecollege/floodawarenessweek.

Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flood Warning is issued when river
flooding or areal flooding is imminent or occurring.

Flood Watch: Be Prepared: A Flood Watch is issued when conditions
are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur,
but it is possible.

Flood Advisory: Be Aware: A Flood Advisory is issued when
nuisance flooding is forecast to occur, but is not expected to be
bad enough to reach warning criteria. However, it may cause
significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it
could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.

What is the difference between a flood and flash flood?

A flood occurs when prolonged rainfall over several days, intense
rainfall over a short period of time, or an ice or debris jam
causes a river or stream to overflow and flood the surrounding
area. Melting snow can combine with rain in the winter and early
spring. Severe thunderstorms can bring heavy rain in the spring
and summer. Tropical cyclones can bring intense rainfall to the
coastal and inland states in the summer and fall.

A flash flood occurs within six hours of a rain event, or after a
dam or levee failure...or following a sudden release of water
held by an ice or debris jam. Flash floods can catch people
unprepared. You will not always have time to prepare for a sudden
flood. So, if you live in areas prone to flash floods, plan now to
protect your family and property. The use of the word flash here
is synonymous with the word urgent.

Is there anything I can do to prepare for a flood?

Information on how you can reduce potential flood damage and what
to include in a family disaster plan can be obtained from the
American Red Cross. The NWS works with, and relies on strategic
partners involved in floodplain management, flood hazard
mitigation, and flood preparedness to reduce the loss of life and
property due to floods.

When flooding threatens, listen to NOAA Weather Radio or your
favorite media outlet for warnings and statements. These warnings
and statements contain information about specific locations that
will be impacted, and the threats that are expected due to the
flooding.

Today concludes Flood Awareness Week. Please remember to practice
flood safety all year long, as flooding can happen during any
season.

$$


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