There have been a number of recent weather-related stories that have focused around the number-one severe weather-related killer: flooding.

In early May, a storm system dumped heavy rain over portions of the southeast United States. This resulted in record flooding for portions of Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. Most notably, Nashville was swallowed by flood waters causing nearly $2 billion in damage. The Grand Ole Opry, one of this country’s most historic music venues, suffered crippling water damage.

More recently is a tragedy in Arkansas where at least 16 people were killed after recent rain caused a flash flood that swept campers away at the Albert Pike Campground.

With our own local creeks and rivers running high, this would be a great time for northeast Kansans to review their flood plans. A flash flood is defined as a rapid rise in water over a geographically low-lying area. They are typically caused when a dam or levee breaks, or when heavy rain falls on already saturated ground.

Although we are more used to tornadoes and hail storms in the plains, flooding causes more fatalities in a given year than any other form of severe weather.

Heavy rain is expected Sunday and Monday and we’re under a flood watch in our area, so be prepared.