Flood safety poster contest

February 3rd, 2012 at 4:00 am by under Weather

Grab your crayons, markers and imagination! It’s time for the annual flood safety poster contest.

Courtesy: NWS

Here are the guidelines:

Kids, ages 6 to 13, can enter their posters, illustrating the theme, “Turn Around – Don’t Drown,” and have a chance to win several great prizes:

  • Gift card, $100 to $25 for first, second, third and fouth place winners.
  • Ride on Lady Bird Lake in a swift water rescue boat with an emergency responder.
  • Poster printed in a safety calendar(s) and in a Flood Safety insert in the Austin-American Statesman.

This contest is an important way to educate students about the risk of flooding that we all face in Central Texas. It’s hard to remember in the middle of one of the worst droughts in Texas’ history, but flooding is Austin’s top weather-related emergency and the number-one cause of weather-related fatalities.

Guidelines

  • 8 ½ by 11 paper, in landscape orientation.
  • Shows the dangers of driving through flood waters.
  • Either  “Save Yourself! Turn Around – Don’t Drown” or “¡Sálvese! Es mejor regresarse – que ahogarse.” should be the headline
  • Due Feb. 24th 2012 (in our hands, not post-marked).

Information to Include on Back of Poster

  • Child’s name, grade and age
  • Parent’s or guardian’s  name, phone number, email and address
  • School and teacher’s name,  phone number and email (optional)

Submitting Artwork

  • Mail to City of Austin, WPD, Attn: Joan Esquivel, P.O. Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767
  • Drop off at One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road, 12th Floor, Austin, TX 78704
  • Email computer-generated artwork to            floodawareness@austintexas.gov
  • Must be received by Feb. 24, 2012

Note: Artwork will become the property of the City of Austin and will not be returned.

Age Categories 6 to 8 year olds, 9 to 11 year olds and 12 to 13 year olds.

The contest is sponsored by the City of Austin, the Texas Floodplain Management Association, the National Weather Service, the LCRA and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Central Texas is know as flash flood alley and these posters are just one way to get the word out about Turn Around Don’t Drown.

Here are some flooding facts from the City of Austin:

Austin lies in the heart of Flash Flood Alley. Whether or not you live in a floodplain, it is critical that you be alert to the dangers of flooding both in your home or around town. Since 1960, 54 people have died in flash floods in Travis County.

It may surprise you to learn that Texas leads the nation in flood-related deaths and holds about half of the world records for rainfall rates in less than 48 hours. No one can stop a flood, but there are many things that you can do before, during and after a storm to protect your family and keep property damage to a minimum. This page is your resource for information about what you can do to protect yourself and loved ones from the threat that we face in Central Texas.

Turn Around ­– Don’t Drown

About 75% of flood fatalities occur in vehicles. Don’t drive during heavy rainfall. If you must, look for water over the road, avoid low water crossings, and turn around if a road is barricaded or if there is water over the roadway. Keep in mind that at night, during heavy storms, it may be difficult to see that a road is flooded.

There are many other dangers during a flood as well. In general, stay away from creeks and drainage infrastructure during rainfall.

 

 

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