National Flood Safety Awareness Week March 14-18.

It is National Flood Safety Awareness week this week throughout the U.S. March 14-18.  This is the best time to gather family, friends and neighbors together to formulate a flood plan if you live in a flood prone area.  A basic flood plan should include the following: a secondary place to stay in the event of an evacuation, a list of all essential items to remove from your home (if necessary), and a list of important contacts (i.e. family, friends, emergency management officials).  Be sure to stay aware of any flood watches or warnings in your area and be certain you and your family know exactly what these watches and warnings mean.  Your local NWS forecast office should be able to provide you with information specific to your area.  If you do not live in a flood prone area keep in mind that heavy rain can cause flash flooding on roadways and in basements very quickly.
      If you live here in Minnesota you will want to pay special attention due to growing concern that major flooding is imminent in many of our states creeks and streams this Spring .  5 months worth of snowpack will disappear quickly this week with temps in the 50's for much of the region, as well as the threat of rain showers through next week.  This will cause many of the regions rivers and tributaries to swell to flood stage and remain that way for an extended period of time.  Stay tuned to your local forecast and Worlds Wildest Weather.com for continuing updates on this situation.  Have a great evening!