AUBURN, Mass. - The National Weather Service Boston is recognizing this week as Flood Safety Awareness Week.

NWS Boston said flooding happens somewhere in the U.S. nearly every day. As we’ve seen at times in our area, floods can happen any time of the year, so they said it’s essential to be prepared.

The National Weather Service reports flooding causes more damage in the U.S. than any other weather-related event and causes nearly 90 deaths a year.

More than half of those flood-related deaths occur in motor vehicles when people attempt to drive through flooded roadways.

Massachusetts Fire District 7 Mutual Aid is made up of 26 different communities, including the Auburn Fire Department.

Deputy Chief Glenn Johnson said the District 7 swift water rescue team is always on standby and advises against trying to drive or walk through any amount of flooding.

“You see a lot of the streets flooding, some of the bridges, underneath bridges where you have low culvert areas," Johnson said. "And when you come to one of those locations, we wouldn't advise driving your car through it. It just takes six inches of water to sweep you off your feet and 12 inches of water to take your car away if it's flooded, fast moving water. The other thing, too, is you want to pay attention to your surroundings, make sure that there's no power lines down. Could be a really windy day associated with the floods causing a power line down. Last thing you want to do is electrocute yourself because you didn't see the wire.”

Johnson said their department mainly responds to flooded basements when it comes to flooding, but during any level of storm, he said it’s best to air on the side of caution and be vigilant of your surroundings to stay safe.

More information about flood safety and the National Weather Service Flood Safety Awareness Week can be found here.