(COLORADO) — With an increase in summer storms, it is possible that you could find yourself in a flooding situation. But do you know how we get these heavy rain situations and what you can do if you encounter flood waters in your area?

In heavy rain situations, typically there are several ingredients that have to come together in the atmosphere to produce these types of events. In summer months, the setup has been tropical moisture from the south that has been moved in by a high pressure system. That moisture is then amplified when another atmospheric phenomenon, like a cold front, adds energy that increases the amount of moisture in the upper levels on the air.

The increased amount of moisture eventually turns into excessive rainfall that you experience as heavy downpours. Too much water at once can then become a flooding situation.

If you encounter flood waters, first seek higher ground. In addition, do not drive through flooded roads, especially at night when it makes floods harder to spot. Only 6 inches of flood waters can carry and move a person, 12 inches can carry and move a small car and 18 to 24 inches can carry and move an SUV.