Heavy rains can escalate quickly and turn a light drizzle into a raging river.

大雨會讓水位驟升，把路上的細流變成洶湧的河流。

From Lifehacker, this is the Disaster Manual.

您收看的是來自 Lifehacker 的「災難手冊」

First, here's how to know if a flood is coming your way.

首先，以下是如何辨別洪水是否會向你襲來。

You might receive an alert from the National Weather Service.

你可能會收到國家氣象局的警報。

If a Flood Watch has been issued, that means flash flooding is possible in your area.

如果洪水警報已經發布，這代表你所在的地區可能會發生大洪水。

A Flood Warning means that floods are already occurring and you should be prepared to evacuate.

洪水警報發布表示洪水已經發生，應該做好撤離準備。

As soon as you receive word of a flash flood, make your way to higher ground, which is any ground or structure that's higher in elevation than other ground.

收到洪水暴發的消息，應該馬上趕往高處，也就是任何海拔比平地高的地面或建築物。

Water is always going to flow down, so hilltops, upper levels of buildings, and other elevated areas are less likely to be affected by flood waters.

水一定是往下流，所以山頂、建築物的上層等高處受洪水影響的可能性較小。

If you see flood waters, head in the opposite direction.

如果看到洪水，就往反方向走。

Avoid all moving water if possible.

儘可能避開所有流動的水。

Even six inches of rushing water can knock you over and sweep you into peril.

即使只是六英寸的湍急水流，也能把你沖倒並拖進險境。

If you must walk through water to safety, find spots that are shallow and stagnant.

如果要到安全處必須涉水，就找淺水和水流靜止的地方。

Use a sturdy stick to gauge water depth in front of you and check the stability of the ground.

用結實的棍子測量面前水深，檢查地面穩定性。

Watch out for mud and other slippery surfaces like rocks.

小心泥土和其他溼滑表面，如岩石。

Avoid any electrical equipment like fallen power lines, and if flood waters have reached your home, do not use your electricity.

避開掉落的電線等電器設備，如果洪水已經漫到家中，避免用電。

If you do get swept away, float on your back, shoulders first.

如果真的不幸被捲走，記得肩膀朝前仰面漂浮。

Your head should be pointing in the direction the water is flowing from, so you'll be able to see debris careening toward you, which is more important than seeing where you're going.

頭應該朝向水流方向，這樣能看見向你沖來的碎片，這比看清漂往的方向更重要。

Always go over obstacles, never under.

永遠要往上越過障礙物，而不是往下。

And grab or climb onto something as soon as you're able.

儘可能抓住或爬上任何東西。

If you're traveling in a vehicle, never attempt a water crossing.

如果你正在開車，千萬不要嘗試穿越水流。

You cannot accurately gauge water depth from inside a car.

車內無法準確測量水深。

As little as six inches of water can cause you to lose control and stall, so turn around and find another route.

六英寸的水就能讓你失去控制並失速，所以請掉頭另尋路線。

In the event that water overtakes your vehicle, get out immediately.

如果水淹沒了你的車輛，請立即下車。

Unbuckle your seatbelt and roll down the windows.

解開安全帶，搖下車窗。

Break them if you have to.

必要時，打破車窗。

You'll want water to flow freely into the vehicle to equalize the pressure building up outside.

讓水流進車內，平衡車內外壓力。

Then you'll be able to open the door and swim out.

好讓你打開車門，游出去。

Wherever you find yourself, remember, get to higher ground, wait for the waters to subside, then get to safety.

無論在哪都請記住，到高處去，等水退了再前往安全的地方。