Fire apparatus, firefighters in gear, hose lines, ladders, and other fireground activity will be clearly visible to those passing by the vicinity.  This may include some live fire and smoke, and use of power tools.

All of this activity is NORMAL and NOT indicative of an emergency occurring at this location.

Please REMAIN CLEAR of this area during these training activities.  This site is now considered an active construction site and any unauthorized persons on this site may be subject to arrest for felony tresspass.  Use caution when traveling around the site as fire aparatus, hose lines, or other equipment may be in the roadway.

Florida has always been prone to floods, both along its rivers but also in its low-lying areas.  2008-2010 has been a pretty destructive period, especially for river flooding.  On January 21, 2010, a flash flood on the campus of Florida State University damaged dozens of vehicles and caused one injury. 

The National Weather Service, federal, state and local emergency management officials, and water management officials encourage residents to update their preparedness plans this week during:

National Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 15-19, 2010

National Flood Safety Awareness Week is intended to highlight some of the many ways floods can occur, the hazards associated with floods, and what you can do to save life and property.

According to the National Weather Service, flooding causes more damage in the United States than any other severe weather related event, an average of $4.6 billion a year in the past 20 years. Flooding can occur in any of the 50 states or U.S. territories at anytime of the year. This accounts for an average of 90% of all disaster losses in the United States each year. 

Flooding is often a consequence of other well-known disasters. Tropical Storms and hurricanes most often result in flooding well inland of the coast, such as Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia.  Large amounts of snow in the winter in places up North may result in flooding if there is a sudden warm up and the snow melts rapidly.  Ice jams also clog up rivers resulting in backups and flooding.  Some of the most epic floods in the United States originate as massive snowmelts in places like North Dakota and Minnesota. 

Several factors contribute to flooding. The two key elements are rainfall intensity and duration. Intensity is the rate of rainfall, and duration is how long the rain lasts. Topography, soil conditions, and ground cover or ground debris also play an important role. Flood effects can be local, impacting a neighborhood or community, or very large, affecting entire river basins and multiple states.

Did you know that there are different types of flooding?

• An areal flood occurs when prolonged rainfall over several days or an intense rainfall over a short period of time causes widespread flooding over a large area.  This generally affects low-lying and poor drainage areas where water “pools up” into standing areas of floodwater that tend to drain very slowly.  This can include overflowing lakes, ponds, swamps, drainage ditches, retention ponds, and other low-lying areas.  Remember that only a foot or so of standing water can float a car or SUV.

• A flash flood occurs rapidly, most often during an intense period of rainfall.  This typically happens when the rainfall rate exceeds the capacity of a drainage system, stream, creek, or river to accommodate the tremendous volume and flow of water that has fallen in such a short period of time.  A flash flood can also occur suddenly following a dam or levee failure.  The key word here is “flash” signifying “sudden” and ”urgent.”  There is typically very little to no warning for these sudden events.  Flash floods most often also signify the fast movement of water as opposed to the “rise up” or “pooling” that you see with areal flooding.  Moving water is extremely dangerous and destructive.  Only a few inches of moving water can wipe a person of their feet and only a few inches more will wipe a car off the road.  Moving water also erodes, or washes away, soils causing places where a road may be washed out or undermined.  You cannot see this damage if it is still under water. 

• A riverine flood occurs more slowly over time and can generally be forecasted with pretty good accuracy.  Most major streams and rivers are monitored by flood gauges and hydrologists know how a particular river basin will react to a basin-wide rainfall event.  This does not mean that these types of floods are any less destructive for those who live along these waterways, or for the bridges or other key infrastructure that crosses them.  River floods also capture all of the rain which has fallen over an entire basin.  For many of the rivers in our area, these basins may be a hundred or more miles north in Alabama or Georgia.  So it is not unusual to see a river flood even though Florida itself has not seen that much rain.

For Florida State University, our primary threat comes from flash flooding.  Historically, any damage, injury, or loss of life that has occurred on campus came as a result of a flash flood.  These events come about when the main storm water system that crosses campus exceeds its capacity and overflows.  There are published flood zones on the campus of Florida State University.  See the campus flood maps here: http://safety.fsu.edu/EmergencyManagement/flooding.html

Yes, at least one life has been lost on campus as a result of a flash flood.  During Tropical Storm Allison in 2001, two students were attempting to drive through moving flood water on North Dewey Street near West Virginia Street.  Their vehicle was swept off the road into the main storm water canal.  The female passenger was rescued near Starbucks and Mendenhall A.  The vehicle was recovered near the Stadium.  The male driver drowned and was recovered well downstream.  

The simple lesson here is: “Turn Around! Don’t Drown!”  The main reason why so many lives are lost due to flooding is that many people underestimate the force and power of water. Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling. 12-24 inches water will float many vehicles. More than half of all flood related deaths result from vehicles being swept away. That is why the National Weather Service and Emergency Management partners strongly encourage people to adopt the phrase “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” This simple phrase can save many lives. More information on this program on can be found at http://www.weather.gov/os/water/tadd/  

Do you know what to do when a flood threatens your home or business?

The National Weather Service urges people to follow these safety rules:

• NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio is one of the best ways to receive warnings from the National Weather Service. Monitor the NOAA Weather Radio or your favorite news source for vital weather related information.

 • If flooding occurs, get to higher ground. Get out of areas subject to flooding. This includes dips, low spots, ditches, etc.

 • Avoid areas already flooded, especially if the water is flowing fast. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams.

 • Road beds may be washed out under flood waters. NEVER drive through flooded roadways.

 • Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams, canals and ditches, particularly during threatening conditions.

 • Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

Other flood safety tips include:

• Never play in flooded areas where hidden sharp objects, electrocution and pollution are serious hazards.

• In highly flood-prone areas, keep materials such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, plastic garbage bags, lumber and shovels on hand.

• Be aware of streams, canals and areas that are known to flood so you or your evacuation routes are not cut off.

• Heed water contamination advisories. Do not use food that has come in contact with floodwaters.

One of the most important things you can do to protect your home and family before a flood is to have a family or business plan and purchase a federal flood insurance policy. Flood damages are not covered under homeowners’ insurance policies. You can learn more about strengthening your home at http://www.flash.org/ and about flood insurance at http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/

Much more information on National Flood Safety Awareness Week can be found at http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov.  

What is FSU ALERT ?
FSU ALERT is the official emergency notification system of The Florida State University.  In the event of a threat, occurring or imminent, that poses an immediate threat to the health, safety, or general welfare of students, faculty, staff or visitors to the university, an FSU ALERT will be issued.  The FSU ALERT emergency notification system uses up to twenty-eight (28) different methods of disseminating emergency information.  Learn everything you need to know about the FSU ALERT system by visiting: http://safety.fsu.edu/EmergencyManagement/fsualert.html

What should I do when I receive an FSU ALERT ?
In an effort to get the warning out in a timely manner, initial FSU ALERT messages may be short or incomplete.  Always seek more information from the Alerts Page (http://alerts.fsu.edu ) or by calling 644-INFO.  The Alerts Page will be continuously updated with additional or updated information pertinent to the situation until it is resolved.  Some FSU ALERT emergency messages, such as severe weather warnings, have expiration times.  Follow-up alerts, such as an “all clear” will not be sent for time-specific messages, unless conditions warrant.  Resume normal activities following expiration of a time-specific warning.  Check the Alerts Page for any additional updates.

Does an FSU ALERT message mean that classes are cancelled or the university is closed?  Are absences due to an FSU ALERT excused?

The issuance of an FSU ALERT does not automatically indicate an alteration to the operational status of the university.  You are advised to take the necessary temporary protective actions you need to ensure your safety.   If you can proceed with your normal course of business under these conditions, you are expected to do so.  If  you cannot proceed with your normal course of business due to an alert, you are expected to do so once the alert has expired, been rescinded, or conditions allow. Any alteration to the operational status of the university, such as cancellations or closures, will be made explicitly in an independent message and posted at the top of the Alerts Page.  Absence policies are at the discretion of your professor or supervisor.  Consult your syllabus, professor, supervisor or Dean for more information. 

What is new with FSU ALERT this semester?

The FSU ALERT system is constantly being upgraded to provide additional coverage and redundancy to ensure timely delivery of emergency messages.  Throughout the Spring 2010 semester, we are adding new features including Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, indoor sirens in 34 buildings, outdoor sirens for Innovation Park and Southwest campus including Alumni Village, and a module to obtain FSU ALERT messages via a new FSU Mobile application for smart phones.