FLASH FLOODS ARE DEADLY

1.                          Raging Arroyos
                             By Sam Scott

Flash  floods are the number one weather related killer in  the  United 
States. More than half of the deaths are vehicle related. Much of  this 
happens  in the southwest where the unknowing encounter our mostly  dry 
washes or arroyos.

A  raging arroyo can have water moving at thirty miles per  hour.  Just 
six  inches can knock you off your feet. Once the water  level  reaches 
the  side  of the vehicle, it can move it sideways. At a depth  of  two 
feet  the  water  will  wash most  automobiles  downstream.  This  even 
includes older heavy cars weighing two tons or more.

The  raging water will pickup tree branches, fence posts, barbed  wire, 
boulders  and anything else the water can move. A photo sequence I  saw 
recently  showed a dry crossing with water just reaching it and  within 
10  seconds it was running about six inches deep, and in less than  one 
minute the water was several feet deep.

A lady friend of ours was bringing her kids back from swimming  lessons 
and  attempted  to cross a dry croosing heading  into  the  development 
where they lived. It initially was running several inches of water when 
she  started  across.  Before she could make it across  the  water  was 
coming  in her window. The full sized car stalled out and it  was  only 
luck  and the grace of God she and her children survived. The  car  was 
abandoned in the wash and later towed home. The car was totalled.

If  you  like  a  little publicity, when it is  storming  here  in  the 
southwest  you might make it to the evening news as everyone  sees  the 
public  safety  people retrieve you from the water. That way  they  can 
laugh  at  your  stupidity. You will likely lose your  vehicle  as  the 
arroyo  makes a mess of it silting the engine and transmission as  well 
as  the interior. The solid objects moving in the water  can  literally 
destroy the body of a car.

Once  you  are retrieved, you will be cited (ticketed) for  entering  a 
flooded arroyo crossing. This is a moving violation and has a fine with 
it. It will also increase your insurance costs for years.

Here in Arizona we have what is called the "Stupid Motorist" law  where 
you can be charged by every organization involved in your rescue.  This 
can run you up to $2,000.

A  favorite of mine is "macho man" with his four-wheeler.  This  turkey 
thinks he is king kong and nothing can stop him. Well, let me tell  you 
a  raging  arroyo  can  take out a four-wheeler  just  like  any  other 
vehicle.  Moreover,  it can take that $20,000 to $30,000 toy  and  make 
trash out of it in minutes.

As  a  long  time resident of the southwest I  have  learned  to  treat 
arroyos  with caution. Avoid if at all possible. If the rain  storm  is 
really intense, just stay at home until it stops and the water recedes.

Incidentally,  it doesn't have to be raining at the crossing. It  could 
be  raining intensely almost anywhere upstream. Many's the time I  have 
been driving in sunshine and come across an arroyo running water.

Your comments are welcome.

          Sam Scott - sscott@mail.hvs.com