Full Notification

...VERY HEAVY RAINFALL EXPECTED THIS WEEKEND...

***PREPARE NOW FOR HEAVY RAINFALL POTENTIAL***
CLEAN DRAINS OF DEBRIS, TRASH, LEAVES AND GRASS SO WATER CAN DRAIN. IF YOU LIVE IN AN AREA THAT IS PRONE TO FLOODING, HAVE A PLAN OF ACTION AND A PLACE TO GO BEFORE FLOODING OCCURS.

.A COLD FRONT WILL STALL OUT OVER THE OHIO VALLEY REGION THIS WEEKEND. TROPICAL MOISTURE ALONG THE FRONT MAY CAUSE FLASH FLOODING CONCERNS FROM SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT. THE HEAVY RAIN THREAT MAY EVEN CONTINUE INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PADUCAH HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS...IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS...ALEXANDER...EDWARDS...FRANKLIN...GALLATIN...HAMILTON...HARDIN...JACKSON...JEFFERSON...JOHNSON...MASSAC......POPE...PULASKI...SALINE...UNION...WABASH...WAYNE IL...WHITE AND WILLIAMSON.

* FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING

* WAVES OF VERY HEAVY RAIN WILL BE POSSIBLE THIS WEEKEND ALONG A STALLED OUT COLD FRONT OVER THE OHIO VALLEY REGION AND BACK INTO SOUTHEAST MISSOURI. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR 3 TO 6 INCHES OF RAINFALL FROM SATURDAY THOUGH MONDAY MORNING...ESPECIALLY OVER SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND IN LOCATIONS ALONG AND NORTH OF THE OHIO RIVER. LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WATCH AREA SHOULD BE PREPARED TO FACE FLOODED ROADWAYS...CREEKS AND STREAMS THIS WEEKEND. NEVER DRIVE THROUGH FLOWING WATER OR WATER OF UNKNOWN DEPTH. IN ADDITION...THE HEAVY RAINFALL MAY END UP CAUSING FLOODING OF LARGER RIVERS WITH TIME.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

Instructions:

Preparedness & Safety Tips: DO NOT drive onto a flooded roadway. DO NOT drive through flowing water. If you approach a roadway that is flooded, TURN AROUND - DON’T DROWN. Drive with extreme caution if roads are even just wet or it is raining. You can lose control of your vehicle if hydroplaning occurs, which is when a layer of water builds up between your tires and the road, causing there to be no direct contact between your vehicle and the road. If a Flash Flood Warning is issued for your area: • If advised to evacuate, do so immediately! Act quickly to save yourself, you may not have much time. • Get out of areas that are subject to flooding and move to a safe area before access is cut off by flood waters. Low spots such as dips, canyons, and washes are not the places you want to be during flooding! • DO NOT camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly during threatening conditions. • DO NOT drive if not necessary. If driving is necessary, do not attempt to drive over a flooded road, as the depth of the water is not always obvious, and the roadway may no longer be intact under the water. Never drive around a barricade, they are placed there for your protection! If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and move to higher ground before water sweeps you and your vehicle away. • DO NOT try to walk, swim, or play in flood water. You may not be able to determine if there are holes or submerged debris, or how quickly the water is flowing, and you may be swept away. If water is moving swiftly, as little as 6 inches of water can knock you off of your feet! There is also a danger of hazardous materials polluting the water. Also remember that water is an electrical conductor, if there are power lines down, there is a possibility of electrocution. • Always continue to monitor the situation through the National Weather Service website, your NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards, or favorite local television or radio stations.