Almost everyone understands the danger of lightning, or hail, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

All of those, though, are not as deadly as flash floods, yet most of us fail to fully appreciate the danger we could be in if we come face to face with one.

The National Weather Service reports that more than half of the fatalities attributed to flash floods occur when people have swept away in their vehicles while attempting to cross flood waters. The agency gives the advice “Turn Around, Don't Drown” for flash floods, suggesting that drivers find another route rather than trying to cross the water.

But for those who are caught in a flash flood in the wild, they often have no warning or time to react—and few choices to get away.

Floods normally take more than 6 hours to occur. Flash floods, on the other hand, can happen in a much shorter period, due heavy rainfall, dam or levee failure, or the sudden release of water from an ice-jammed river.

Read the Signs
• Remember that it only takes 2 feet of fast moving water to sweep away most vehicles—even SUVs and trucks. Never try to drive through flood waters. Turn around and find some other way.
• Forget about trying to wade through swift flood waters. It only takes 6 inches of fast rushing water to knock a person down and sweep them away.
• Keep an eye on the weather and evacuate before an expected flood event, or shelter in place. Find high ground and stay put.
• Use your smartphone to check the local weather, when rain may occur upstream from your location in a flood prone area.

While not quite a “silent killer,” flash floods are something most of us rarely if ever witness in person.

They can happen in almost any setting, though, and can be deadly, no matter where they occur.

That means you must know the signs of an impending flash flood environment and know what to do if you find yourself trapped in one!

To read up on flash floods, please visit Outdoor Life.