Flash Flood Warning until at least 3 p.m. today in Stillwater

MEDIA RELEASE

(STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA, June 6, 2019) – Stillwater is currently under a flash flood warning until 3 p.m., with the possibility of it reissuing throughout the day.

The National Weather Service lists Stillwater at a slight risk for flooding. As of noon today, 0.55 inches of rain has fallen.

Estimates project that Stillwater will receive an average of one to three inches of rainfall today, with the potential for higher rainfall in isolated areas.

With the continued rain and saturated ground, Stillwater could see road closings due to flooding. The rainfall is not expected to affect homes at this time.

The City of Stillwater’s Emergency Management department is monitoring the weather and will respond to any flooding situations.

Should roads flood, city staff will attempt to place barricades at the site to prevent traffic. You should never attempt to drive or walk through a flooded road or area, even if it is not barricaded.

Emergency Management will update the City’s road closings map with any emergency road closures due to flooding as time permits.

View the road closures map at http://stillwater.org/road-closing

Do not remove a barricade from a street at any time, even if the street looks clear of water.

Based on weather projections, the rainfall should start to slow by 7 p.m. and should finish by midnight.

Tips During a Flood

·         Depending on where you are, and the impact and the warning time of flooding, go to the safe location that you previously identified.

·         If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.

·         Listen to an Emergency Alert System (EAS) or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio, or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions.

·         Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown!

·         Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.

·         If your vehicle is trapped in rapidly moving water, then stay inside. If water is rising inside the vehicle, then seek refuge on the roof.

·         If trapped in a building, then go to its highest level. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising floodwater. Go on the roof only if necessary. Once there, signal for help.