Thursday, March 15, 2012

Turn Around Don't Drown: Flood Safety Driving Tips


When you approach a flooded road, TURN AROUND
DON'T DROWN! (Source: National Weather Service)
Flooding is the leading cause of severe weather-related deaths in the U.S. claiming on average nearly 100 lives a year. Most of these deaths occur in motor vehicles when people attempt to drive through flooded roadways. Many other lives are lost when people walk into or near flood waters. This happens because people underestimate the force and power of water, especially when it’s moving. The good news is it is preventable with the right knowledge and tools.

A mere six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. And it only takes 12 to 18 inches of flowing water to carry away most vehicles including large SUVs. If you come to an area that is covered with water, you will likely not know the depth of the water or the condition of the ground under the water. This is especially true at night, when your vision is more limited. Play it smart, play it safe. Whether driving or walking, any time you come to a flooded road, follow this simple advice:
Turn Around Don't Drown.

  1. Flash floods can come rapidly and unexpectedly. They can occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall, or when a dam or levee fails and even a sudden release of water held by an ice or debris jam. Be cautious during storm seasons, or any time that flooding is common in your area.
  2. You may not have warning that a flash flood is approaching.
  3. Do not drive unless absolutely necessary.
  4. Do not drive through flooded areas. If you see a flooded-out road ahead, turn around. Find another route to your destination.
  5. If there is no other route, get to higher ground and wait for the waters to subside.
  6. Even if the water appears shallow enough to cross, don't try it. Water hides dips in the road. Worse yet, there may be no road at all under the water. Flooding can scour away the entire road surface and a significant amount of ground beneath.
  7. If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.
  8. Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control or possible stalling.
  9. One foot of water will float almost many vehicles.
  10. Two feet of rushing water can sweep away most vehicles — including SUVs and pick-ups.
Be sure to follow Team Saint Louis for additional flood safety tips and information at: Facebook.com/teamsaintlouis, Twitter.com/teamsaintlouis, Teamsaintlouis.blogspot.com, and YouTube.com/teamsaintlouis 

Additional flood awareness information can also be found at:
http://www.Fema.gov, www.ready.gov
and Turn Around Don't Drown . Visit www.weather.gov for the latest weather forecast information.

Sources: FEMA.gov, NOAA.gov, Weather.gov

6 comments:

driving school khanpur said...

very nice tips
thanks for sharing this

driving school in Greater Kailash Part 1

plumbing said...

Do not drive through flooded areas. If you see a flooded-out road ahead, turn around. Find another route to your destination.

Cunninghams Draycott Browne said...

Bravo to these life-saving tips! These tips can help prepare people , especially when they are inside their vehicles, save their own lives during flash floods.

Unknown said...

Excellent post. Driving in flood area is really very dangerous. I am very amazed by the information of this blog and I am so glad that I had a look over this blog. Thank you so much for sharing such great information. Humble Texas Approved Online Defensive Driving School

Unknown said...

The post you written is very good and it entails many useful information for me about driving. I am happy to find your great way of writing the post. Now you make it easy for me to understand and implement the concept.http://texdds.com/articles/texas-approved-online-defensive-driving-school-Garland.html

Unknown said...

very nice tips and especially for me where my area flooded all times during rain


Driving instructor Melbourne

Post a Comment