There seems to be some confusion about terminology regarding the flood in Colorado. This might help. . . 100-Year Storm This storm has been referred to as a “100-year storm.” But what does that mean? “A 100-year flood or storm is an event that has a 1 percent chance of occurring in any given year,” according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Colorado. Data from the gauge on Boulder Creek, shows the flash flood had about a 1 percent chance of happening or a 100-year flood. Consequently, a 1,000-year flood has a 0.1 percent chance of occurring every year and a 50-year flood has a 2 percent chance of happening every year. It does not mean a flood or storm may occur every 100 years, like many interpret it, so the USGS is trying to get away from using the term. - See more at: stevespangler/teaching-moments/tragedy-in-colorado-the-science-behind-a-100-year-flood/#sthash.vMVqtSXV.dpuf
Posted on: Mon, 16 Sep 2013 23:26:41 +0000
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