Swept Away.....

Floods are bad enough, but flash floods are the spawn of Satan.  Floods tend to form over a period of days; you actually have the benefit of knowing that it may happen.  Flash floods rarely give any warning, occurring rapidly and sweeping across the countryside, a wall of water and debris that is capable of wiping away most anything in it's path, be it houses, livestock, cars, and people.  Flash floods can even change the course of rivers, which will give you an idea of the power involved.

If you are in a situation where a flash flood warning is issued, get to higher ground as soon as possible.  You may only have minutes or even seconds, and your life may depend on it (which would certainly be a motivation for me).  If conditions are ripe for a flash flood, stay away from streams, rivers, even low lying areas such as gullies. As I said, you don't always have the benefit of warning...better to simply get to higher ground as soon as possible.

One website suggests that, if you are caught in a flash flood and swept away, that you place your legs in front of you and try to avoid hitting any rocks.  My own personal suggestion would be to place your head between your legs and kiss your posterior goodbye, because chances are you aren't coming out of this one.  I guess it depends on how positive you're feeling at that moment.

Nearly half of all flash flood deaths are auto related, nimrods who apparently think they can walk, or at least drive, on water.  Never attempt to drive through a flash flood.....it will become a matter of brute strength, and you will lose.  If your car stalls, leave it and get to higher ground.  That's what we pay insurance premiums for.

All to say, flash floods are nothing to take lightly, even though I've done my best.  There is little warning, if any, and your life may be on the line.  Do the right thing, because none of us want our last thought to be about how epically stupid what we just did was.

Abyssinia.....