So we’ve all heard of storm chasers, and we all agree it seems a bit daft but pretty cool. Or at least that’s my take on the matter. Below is a video filmed by David Rankin, a self confessed flash flood chaser.
I didn’t realise flash floods were such a common phenomenon to be honest. According to an NOAA study in 2005 which looked at average deaths over 30 years, flash floods killed more people per year than tornadoes, lightning or hurricanes. Quite surprising really. About half of those flash flood deaths occur when people in cars underestimate the power of the flow and try to drive across the flood stream and get flipped.
Flash floods occur for a number of reasons, some are man made, like dam failure or opening, but the ones that Mr Rankin go after are the natural ones. When there’s heavy rain near an area that’s dry, with non-porous clay laden dirt, water has nowhere to go. One inch of rain over one square mile gives you 17.38 million gallons of juice to drain. If it can’t go into the soil it will follow the path of least resistance, try not to get in it’s way. Or if you’re these guys, do try.
This film is set in Utah and filmed by Rankin, the wall of black debris rapidly approaching is an impressive site indeed.
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