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<br />warnings are being issued, looking for environmental clues such as heavy <br /> <br />rainfall or flooded roads, or seeking additional information from neighbors, <br />friends, relatives, or local authorities. Warning messages are most effective <br /> <br />when they confirm other sources of alerts or warnings. A warning should <br /> <br />advise people about the actions they should take and what they can expect <br /> <br />officials and emergency responders to do. It should also encourage people to <br /> <br />pass the word to others, especially those least likely to hear the warning and <br /> <br />those who might need help. Obviously, a local warning system that provides <br />timely and accurate flood forecasts is of little value unless individuals take <br />protective actions to reduce losses. The response system defines these <br /> <br />critical actions. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />B. Evaluation of the Need for a Warni~ System <br /> <br />While a local flood warning system can provide early recognition that flooding <br /> <br /> <br />will occur, it may not be effective in reducing flood losses in all <br /> <br /> <br />communities. Whether or not a local flood warning system is appropriate <br /> <br /> <br />depends on: (1) the hydrologic characteristics of the watershed; (2) the <br /> <br /> <br />frequency of flooding; (3) the flood loss potential; (4) the warning time in <br /> <br /> <br />relation to the benefits; and (5) the need for other hydrologic <br /> <br /> <br />capabilities. These factors should be evaluated when deciding whether a local <br /> <br /> <br />flood warning system is a practical means for reducing flood losses in a given <br /> <br /> <br />community. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />B.1. Hydrologic Characteristics of the Watershed <br /> <br />The first step in evaluating the potential benefits of establishing a local <br /> <br />10 <br />