Thursday, June 8, 2017

How to Safely Drive in Flooded Areas


Floods can occur anywhere, with floodwaters rising gradually, flash floods striking suddenly or due to heavy rain fall. Flash floods are the number one weather-related killer in the United States — most flood fatalities happen because people try to drive through deadly waters rather than avoid them. (Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2005)

Water's powerful force can easily overtake vehicles caught in a flood. Follow these tips to stay safe in your car during a flood.

Pay attention to barricades.

  • Don't ignore them by driving past them.
Take extra precautions if you're forced to drive through water.

If no alternate route exists and you have no other reasonable alternative but to drive through standing water:

  • Do your best to estimate the depth of the water (if other cars are driving through, take note of how deep the water is).
  • Drive slowly and steadily through the water.
  • Avoid driving in water that downed electrical or power lines have fallen in — electric current easily passes through water.
  • Watch for items traveling downstream — they can trap or crush you if you're in their path.
  • If you have driven through water up to the wheel rims or higher, test your brakes on a clear patch of road at low speed. If they are wet and not stopping the vehicle as they should, dry them by pressing gently on the brake pedal with your left foot while maintaining speed with your right foot.
  • Stay off the telephone unless you must report severe injuries.
  • If your vehicle stalls in the deep water, you may need to restart the engine to make it to safety. Keep in mind that restarting may cause irreparable damage to the engine.
  • If you can't restart your vehicle and you become trapped in rising water, immediately abandon it for higher ground. Try to open the door or roll down the window to get out of the vehicle. If you are unable to get out safely, call 911 or get the attention of a passerby or someone standing on higher ground so that they may call for help.
Source: District Safety Office 

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