TIPS By Nancy Rigg - Nancy, who lives in Los Angeles CA, is a professional freelance writer and documentary filmmaker with a specialty in disaster preparedness and response. Click here to read Nancy's letter .
Flooding is the leading cause of weather-related death in the United States.
While slowly rising floods pose a threat of death or injury with electrical shock hazards, toxic contamination, and the possibility of drowning, the majority of flood-related fatalities are the result of victims getting caught in powerful flash floods or swiftly moving water. Scores more suffer serious injuries, including near drowning, and psychological trauma. The force of moving water is very deceptive. Most deaths in flash floods are the result of motorists driving around flood barriers, or entering flooded roadways and getting swept away. Would-be rescuers are also at risk.