What to Do if you’re Caught in a Flood
Flash flooding can occur quickly and without a lot of warning.
Flooding – especially flash flooding – can be life-threatening. And it has a lot to do with how sneaky it can be. Flooding is the master of disguise and hides a lot of evidence, including:
- How deep the water really is,
- How fast the water is moving / how powerful the current is,
- What’s being carried along with that current, besides just water (imagine a wide variety of debris),
- What damage has been done underneath it (washed out roads, bridges…).
If you find yourself in the midst of a flood, here are some things you should do.
Do NOT attempt to drive through a flooded road. A flooded street or intersection might look passable but might be too deep for your car. Far too many people find themselves stranded in a stalled car in a flooded street. Six inches of water is enough to stall most cars. A foot of water can float your vehicle. If you do find yourself in a stranded car, get out and walk to higher ground.
If you’re on foot, don’t attempt wading through floodwater. A fast moving flood can knock you down and carry you away.
If you’re at home and find yourself standing in water, do NOT touch any electrical appliances and stay away from any downed power lines.
Flash flooding can be even more dangerous at night. You may believe that your headlights are just glinting off of wet roads, particularly if you’re in an area that doesn’t typically flood. But if the rain has been coming down in buckets and the ditches are running full, that shiny surface ahead may actually be the top of a new rushing river that just replaced the roadway.
And because flash flooding develops very quickly, there often isn’t time to get a barricade placed in your path…. so don’t assume that the way is clear/safe just because nothing was there to stop you. And even more important: if a barricade has been placed, DON’T go around it. Even if your vehicle is the size and weight of a yacht, trust me: it doesn’t sail.
Turn Around, Don’t Drown. If you encounter water over the road (day or night), with or without barricades, take the safe approach and find a different route.