The economic impact of the floods in the US 0:43
(CNN Spanish) --
The southern United States is on alert due to forecasts of heavy rains and the threat of flooding.
Here, a guide on the forecasts for the next days and how to stay safe if the waters enter your house or find you in the car.
Heavy rains and flood threats: the forecast for the south
Starting Monday through the weekend, a "prolonged rain event" is expected in the Mississippi and Tennessee river valleys, the Weather Prediction Center reported.
Along with this forecast comes the threat of flooding, "which will begin late Monday through early Tuesday in areas south of I-40, especially near the Alabama border," the National Weather Service office said. in Nashville, Tenn. "The flood threat will expand north through (central Tennessee) on Tuesday and Wednesday," it said.
The threat of heavy rain prompted the Prediction Center to issue a level 2 of 4 slight risk of excessive rain Monday for nearly 10 million people in parts of
Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia
, including Atlanta in Georgia, Huntsville in Alabama and Chattanooga in Tennessee.
This chart shows the forecast for rain through Friday, on a scale from 1 inch (2.54 cm) in blue to 20 inches (50.8 cm) in purple.
(Image from CNN Weather)
In addition, another system than the one impacting Monday is forecast to bring even more rain to the southern and eastern United States later in the week as well.
Widespread rain totals of 3 to 5 inches are forecast through Friday, with isolated spots potentially exceeding that figure.
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Persistent rains could reduce drought across the region and may also help raise record water levels in the Mississippi River, at least temporarily.
As a result, "flooding may develop, beginning early in the week for low-lying and flood-prone areas, and along small streams," the weather service in Nashville said. of the week".
How to stay safe?
Faced with the threat of flooding, it is important to know what to do if it happens and you are at home or on public roads.
Where to go if you are at home
If your house starts to flood, don't go into the attic because you could be trapped if there isn't an exit to the roof.
Don't go out and go very far either, because flooding can be extremely dangerous.
The water is usually contaminated with sewage and chemicals and can hide objects such as metal and glass.
It can also hide dangerous animals, including poisonous snakes or alligators, depending on the area.
It is safer to keep some water inside your house than to go outside.
If you're in a tall building and need to take cover, go to interior hallways or rooms on the first or second floors, says the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), but don't go to the higher floors.
It is better to be on the floors that are covered with water as the upper floors can be affected by strong winds.
What to do during a flood or prolonged power outage?
Do not drive on a road flooded by rain
Don't try to drive if the road is flooded.
Even shallow water can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles and there is always a risk of rising water levels, and fast.
If the water level is rising around your vehicle, but the water isn't moving, get out of the car and move to a raised surface, recommends Ready.gov, the Department of Homeland Security's website on disaster preparedness.
If the water moves, don't leave your vehicle and call 911. Also, be careful driving on bridges where floodwaters move quickly, as water can damage the bridge foundations and make them unstable, Ready says. .gov.
If you have a medical emergency or need to evacuate, you can call 911. Remember that it is important to only do it if you need urgent attention and avoid calling if this is not the case, so as not to promote an unnecessary collapse of the lines.
(And don't worry if they answer you in English and you don't know the language. Ask for help in Spanish, since 911 is prepared to understand several languages).
With reporting from CNN's Haley Brink and Melissa Gray.