Arkansas data: More people means more flash floods

POPULATION CAN AFFECT FLASH FLOODING IN THIS WEEK'S SUNDAY SCIENCE. WE'VE HAD DEADLY FLASH FLOODING AS RECENTLY AS LAST MONTH. FLASH FLOODING IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST KILLERS IN NATURE. BUT HOW DOES AN INCREASE IN POPULATION CAUSE QUICKER AND EASIER FLASH FLOODING? EASY, CONCRETE. OBVIOUSLY, CONCRETE IN MORE URBAN AREAS LIKE PARTS OF BENTON AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES DOESN'T LET WATER SOAK IN LIKE THE DIRT IN THE RURAL AREAS OF FRANKLIN AND SEQUOYAH COUNTIES. THIS GRAPH SHOWS EACH COUNTY IN THE 4029 VIEWING AREA BY POPULATION FROM SMALLEST TO LARGEST, NOW I'LL CHANGE OVER TO HOW MUCH RAIN IS NEEDED IN AN HOUR'S TIME SPAN TO CAUSE FLASH FLOODING. WHILE THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS, SUCH AS ELEVATION AND FLOOD PLAINS OF COURSE, YOU CAN SEE A CORRELATION AS THE AMOUNT OF RAIN IT TAKES GOES DOWN AS THE POPULATION INCREASES. LEFLORE TAKES 2.2 INCHES OF RAIN MEANWHILE OUR MOST POPULUS COUNTIES TAKE ONLY 1.8. AND IN AN HOUR'S TIME, A HALF INCH IS A BIG DIFFERENCE. MOVING TO THE 6 HOUR TIME SPAN, IT TAKES 33.6 INCHES OF RAIN IN THAT TIME FRAME ON AVERAGE TO FLOOD A SPOT IN LEFLORE COUNTY. WHILE IN BENTON COUNTY, OUR MOST POPULUS COUNTY, LESS THAN 3 INCHES, A DIFFERENCE OF NEARLY ? OF AN INCH. REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU LIVE, FLASH FLOODING I

Some parts of the Ozarks are more prone to flash flooding than others, and it's not just the flood plains. A higher population of people often results in more flash floods.Why? Concrete.Concrete in more urban areas like parts of Benton and Washington counties doesn't let the water soak in like the dirt in the rural areas of Franklin and Sequoyah counties.While other factors, such as elevation and proximity to a river or creek, factor in, you can still see a correlation between the amount of rain it takes to create a flash flood and the number of people living in an area.Flash Flood SafetyRegardless of where you live, flash flooding is deadly. If you see standing water in a rainstorm, don't take the risk.Never, ever walk or drive through flood waters. Just 6 inches of water can knock you off your feet. A foot of water can float a car or small SUV. Even shallow water can hide hazards that can cut you, electrocute you, or damage your vehicle.Stay informed. You can download the free 40/29 News app for Apple devices with this link and for Androids with this link. It includes alerts, articles and interactive radar.Get to higher ground. Get out of areas that are flooding and head for the hills -- literally.If evacuation orders are made, follow them immediately. Lock your doors and disconnect utilities and appliances if you have time.Don't go into any room for any reason if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are underwater. You could be electrocuted and killed.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —

Some parts of the Ozarks are more prone to flash flooding than others, and it's not just the flood plains. A higher population of people often results in more flash floods.

Why? Concrete.

Concrete in more urban areas like parts of Benton and Washington counties doesn't let the water soak in like the dirt in the rural areas of Franklin and Sequoyah counties.

While other factors, such as elevation and proximity to a river or creek, factor in, you can still see a correlation between the amount of rain it takes to create a flash flood and the number of people living in an area.

Flash Flood Safety

Regardless of where you live, flash flooding is deadly. If you see standing water in a rainstorm, don't take the risk.

Never, ever walk or drive through flood waters. Just 6 inches of water can knock you off your feet. A foot of water can float a car or small SUV. Even shallow water can hide hazards that can cut you, electrocute you, or damage your vehicle.

Stay informed. You can download the free 40/29 News app for Apple devices with this link and for Androids with this link. It includes alerts, articles and interactive radar.

Get to higher ground. Get out of areas that are flooding and head for the hills -- literally.

If evacuation orders are made, follow them immediately. Lock your doors and disconnect utilities and appliances if you have time.

Don't go into any room for any reason if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are underwater. You could be electrocuted and killed.

Arkansas data: More people means more flash floods

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