City Prepared for Potential Heavy Rainfall; Department of Emergency Management Ready to Respond
The City of Tulsa is currently watching the potential for flooding starting Wednesday night.
With multiple rounds of heavy rain expected through Friday, Tulsans are asked to take precautions and ensure they aren’t driving through high water.
The City of Tulsa’s Department of Emergency Management is actively monitoring the situation and is coordinating with City departments on any issues that could arise from heavy rains.
Flash Flooding & Frequently Flooded Streets
It’s important to remember that high water, especially in the dark, can be hard to see. Headlights often fail to reflect the true depth of standing water. If you cannot avoid driving during a heavy storm, especially at night, watch for reflective road signs, look for water shimmering under your lights, and treat any dark patches across the pavement as a deep hazard.
Remember the rule: Turn Around, Don’t Drown. Just one foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away, and darkness can particularly hide downed power lines, missing road surfaces, and swift currents. If your car stalls in rising water, leave it immediately and move to higher ground.
While Tulsa has a Class 1 Community Rating System (CRS) rating for flood preparedness (best in the U.S), several areas of town are still more prone to flooding than others, such as 43rd and Sheridan, several highway underpasses and other intersections.
To see a list of Tulsa’s frequently flooded streets, visit: www.cityoftulsa.org/FFS
Have an Emergency Plan, Communicate
Being prepared can save your life and keep you and your family safe.
In case of flooding, it’s important to:
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Never drive into high water – remember to Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
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Identify a specific person to contact for status updates or a safe location to meet up with family members.
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Have a plan in place to give you peace of mind if a flood does occur.
Assembling an Emergency Kit
When assembling an emergency kit, it is good to have enough food, water, and medicine on hand to last you at least three days. Your emergency kit should have things like batteries, blankets, flashlights, a first aid kit, rubber boots, rubber gloves, and a NOAA Weather Radio or other battery-operated radio easily available.
For more information, visit: https://www.ready.gov/kit
Know Your Risk of Flooding
Is your home, business or school in a floodplain? Where is water likely to collect on the roadways you most often travel? What is the fastest way to get to higher ground?
Knowing the answers to these questions ahead of time can save your life.
Contact Tulsa’s Customer Care Center at 311 (if you’re in Tulsa) or at (918) 596-7777 (if outside City limits) to request a Flood Zone Determination.
To see more information about floodplains and maps in Tulsa, visit: www.cityoftulsa.org/
Sign Up for Notifications
The National Water Prediction Service provides RSS feeds for observed forecasts and alert river conditions to help keep the public informed about local water conditions.
For more information, visit: https:/water.noaa.gov/wfo/dtx
Additional Information
For additional weather safety preparedness tips, please visit: www.cityoftulsa.org/weather
