Flood Safety – Staying Safe on the Roads

Floods can occur anywhere and are the deadliest weather-related killer in the United States. Most of these fatalities happen because people do not pay attention to the weather and attempt to drive in flood waters rather than avoid them, as we recently saw in Houston. Here in Denver, we are prone to afternoon thunderstorms in the summer months that can quickly turn our roads into rivers, so flood safety if very important. Understanding the risks involved and paying close attention to the weather conditions are the surest way to keep your car in control and your loved ones safe. Our Denver auto body repair experts are here to give you some advice on how to handle flood waters while driving.

What water level is unsafe?

For the average passenger vehicle, six inches will reach the bottom, causing a loss of control and possible stalling out your vehicle. In 12-18 inches of water, depending on the force, your vehicle can be swept off of the road. Once your vehicle becomes buoyant, you are at the whim of the water flow and can easily be pushed sideways and roll over, trapping you inside.

The biggest flood safety tip is if waters rise to a dangerous level, you should abandon your car and get to higher ground. It is not worth your life and staying inside of the vehicle will only put you in greater danger.

What to Avoid

Another key flood safety tip is: Do not attempt to cross a flooded roadway, ever.

When driving perpendicular to the water flow, it is very easy for your vehicle to lose control and get swept away. Remember that the conditions of a roadway can be drastically different than what you would expect during a street flood. With enough water, road beds can easily be swept away. If at all possible, try stay on main roads and avoid any flooded roadway.

If Forced to Drive in a Street Flood

If there is no other way and you are forced to drive through standing water, here are some flood safety tips for the road:

• Drive slowly but steadily through the water, maintaining momentum without losing control.
• Do not drive in water which has downed power lines in it. The electrical current will pass through the water.
• If your vehicle stalls in the water and you need to restart it, remember that this can cause irreparable damage to your engine. If it is possible to leave it, you should consider this option carefully. Only restart the vehicle if getting to safety depends on it.
• Look for floating items and try to avoid them – they can trap or crush you if you are downstream.

If there is a chance of flooding, be sure to monitor the weather and plan accordingly. Avoiding the flood altogether is the best way to keep you and your vehicle safe from harm.

How to use this information

At Accurate Auto Body, we know the damage weather can inflict on vehicles. If you’ve been caught in a flood and are in need of auto repair, be sure to give Accurate Auto Body a call at 303-344-2122 or contact us through our website for more information and we will be happy help!

What is the biggest street flood you’ve experienced?