What in the World Was She Thinking?

Remember the “Human Chain” video from the Ellicott City flood? The presenter has the “rest of the story” on how this young lady got into this position in the first place. You won’t believe it. How could someone make this decision in the face of raging floodwaters? How can WRN contribute to keeping the public safe? We must deliver our messages more effectively in order to reach more people. Are we really doing this bad or do some people just not process danger very well? This presentation will leave your head shaking but hopefully stimulate the creative portion of your brain to contribute to the conversation. Note, there is language in this presentation that some may find offensive…but it is real life stuff (and not from the presenter).

2017 was a record setting year for disasters with more than 16 separate events resulting in damages of at least $1 Billion each and a total yearly cost of more than $306 Billion. XX of these 16 events were flood-related. For a small town in Maryland, Ellicott City, 2017 was sandwiched between devastating floods in 2016 and 2018. As stated in the National Climate Assessment in 2014, over the last 50 years, much of the U.S. has seen increases in prolonged periods of excessively high temperatures, heavy downpours, and in some regions, severe floods and droughts.

In addition, the National Weather Service (NWS) launched a straightforward slogan as a part of its Weather Ready Nation campaign to protect life and property by instituting a core phrase to deter people from placing themselves in situations where they lose control of their actions. Flash flooding is becoming more common across the nation and many people recognize the phrase “Turn Around, don’t drown^®.” Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. People underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream. Of these drownings, many are preventable, but too many people continue to drive around the barriers that warn you the road is flooded.