Did you know Texas is the nation's leader in the variety and frequency of natural disasters. Flooding, wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, hail storms, sinkholes, erosion and drought all occur in the state. Locally, we routinely experience flooding and wildfires in Central Texas and specifically in Williamson County.
Did you know that floods are the most common and widespread of all weather-related natural disasters. Flash floods are the most dangerous kind of floods, because they combine the destructive power of a flood with incredible speed. Flash floods occur when heavy rainfall exceeds the ability of the ground to absorb it. They also occur when water fills normally dry creeks or streams or enough water accumulates for streams to overtop their banks, causing rapid rises of water in a short amount of time. They can happen within minutes of the causative rainfall, limiting the time available to warn and protect the public. In the U.S. floods kill more people each year than tornadoes, hurricanes or lightning.
Did you know that as many as 90 percent of wildland fires in the United States are caused by people, according to the U.S. Department of Interior. Some human-caused fires result from campfires left unattended, the burning of debris, downed power lines, negligently discarded cigarettes and intentional acts of arson. The remaining 10 percent are caused by lightning strikes and wildfires can spread as fast as 6 mph.
Are you ready? Do you or your family have a plan? Below are resources to protect yourself, your family, and your home.