KinwarnLive · National Weather Service data
Live flash flood warnings
Every flash flood warning in effect in the US on one map. Flash flood emergencies are shown in red. Flood watches, radar and flood reports are on the same map.
Sample data from the night of April 27, 2024. These warnings are not in effect. (Only shown on a developer's computer.)
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Flash flood warnings in the past 7 days
Every flash flood warning the National Weather Service issued in the last 7 days, newest first, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive. Times are in your time zone. Turn on “Past 7 days” to see them on the map.
Watch, warning, emergency
| Alert | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Flood watch | Conditions are favorable for flooding. | Be prepared. Watch for warnings. |
| Flash flood warning | A flash flood is happening or about to happen. | In an area that floods, move to high ground now. Do not drive into water. |
| Flash flood emergency | Threat to life and catastrophic damage, with water at levels rarely if ever seen. Used exceedingly rarely. | Get to high ground now. Follow local officials. |
| Flood warning | Flooding is happening or about to happen, mostly along larger streams and rivers. | Follow local officials. Stay out of flooded roads. |
Why flash floods catch people
The National Weather Service, citing the CDC, says over half of all flood-related drownings happen when a vehicle is driven into floodwater. Six inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult, and 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars. Floodwater can be deeper than it looks and can hide a washed-out road. Never drive or walk into it.
What to do during a flash flood warning
- If you are in an area that floods, move to high ground now.
- Do not drive into flooded roads or around a barricade, and do not walk into floodwater.
- If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if you can.
- Most flash flood warnings are not sent as Wireless Emergency Alerts; only those tagged considerable or catastrophic are. Call older relatives who live in an area that floods.
Read more: what a flash flood warning means and what to do during a flash flood warning.
Flash flood alerts for Mom’s house too.
Kinwarn for iPhone alerts you when a flash flood warning covers your home or a family member’s home in another state. With Kinwarn Pro, Kinwarn calls them for a flash flood emergency, even on a landline.
Coming soon to the App Store · iPhoneKinwarn adds to official alerts. Keep Wireless Emergency Alerts on.
Questions people ask
What does a flash flood warning mean?
A flash flood is happening or is about to happen in the outlined area. If you are in an area that floods, move to high ground now, and do not drive or walk into floodwater.
What is the difference between a flash flood warning and a flash flood emergency?
A flash flood emergency is a flash flood warning with the catastrophic damage tag. The National Weather Service uses it exceedingly rarely, when a flash flood threat to life and catastrophic damage is happening or about to happen, and water has risen or will rise to levels rarely if ever seen. Kinwarn shows flash flood emergencies in red.
What is the difference between a flash flood warning and a flood warning?
A flash flood is a sudden, violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. A flood warning is mostly used for flooding along larger streams and rivers. Both mean flooding is happening or about to happen.
Is there an app for flash flood warnings?
Wireless Emergency Alerts send the most serious flash flood warnings, those tagged considerable or catastrophic, to phones inside the warning area. Kinwarn for iPhone alerts you about every flash flood warning that covers your home or a family member’s home, and with Kinwarn Pro it calls them for a flash flood emergency.
Sources
More live maps
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