Another element that can arise from severe thunderstorms is the threat of flash flooding. Flash flooding typically occurs when an area that has extremely saturated soil receives heavy rains (or even light to moderate rain over a long period of time). Flash flooding becomes even more dangerous in areas where topography can lead to water moving extremely fast down hill, such as mountain ranges... or the bluffs, ridges, and valleys of our very own Coulee Region.
Flash floods are the number one weather-related killer in the United States. Flash floods are capable of moving boulders, removing trees, damaging buildings and bridges, and can even change the course of rivers and streams! One such event happened in August of 2007 here in the Coulee Region. Parts of La Crosse and Vernon County received between 11 and 15" of rain in about 36 hours. The result was mudslides, rock slides, rapid rises in creeks and streams, road damage, bridges were wiped out and destroyed, and some creeks even changed course. While this was considered a 1000 year event, it can happen anywhere and at anytime.
The best advice is that when a flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground! Especially if you live along a creek or stream or reside in a valley. And DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED ROADS! Turn around, don't drown! The water in a flash flood is moving incredibly fast and you will be swept away before you know it.
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