It’s important to understand the differences between a thunderstorm watch, thunderstorm warning, flash flood watch, and a flash flood warning. A thunderstorm watch means that conditions are favorable for a thunderstorm. You should be mindful of your surroundings and listen to weather reports. A thunderstorm warning means that there are thunderstorms in your immediate area. Be sure to watch the weather conditions around you. In New Mexico, storms can turn deadly in a matter of minutes. Be mindful, also, of lightning in your area. If you hear thunder around you, please take cover. Lightning can strike at any time, miles from the center of the thunderstorm.
Like a thunderstorm watch, a flash flood watch means that conditions are favorable for flooding in your area. A warning means that there is flash flooding in your immediate area. Don’t be fooled. Even if there are no storms above you, heavy rain and thunderstorms miles away can bring deadly water rushing down otherwise dry arroyos, streams, and roads, often without warning.
Unless you live in a fortified shelter, you are susceptible to flooding. Flooding can come from a leaking roof, poorly sealed windows and doors, or water being driven against your home’s foundation. If this happens, make sure you and your family are safe. If you can, attempt to capture water coming in from ceilings and doors. Pull wet carpet away from the flooded area — but only if it’s safe to do so. If there is considerable flooding that you suspect is coming from the roof, you might choose to leave if you can do so safely. Sheetrock ceilings above you can become water-logged and collapse in a heavy downpour.
If flooding does occur, call our offices and we’ll start the process of putting your family’s home back together—and we work with most insurance companies, to make the process even easier.
