National Flood Safety Awareness Week, Day 2: Never Drive into Flood Waters

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Grand Forks North Dakota Has declared Monday, March 14th through Friday, March 18th 2016 as Flood Safety Awareness Week. Each day during the work week, will feature important information about a flood safety related topic.

Tuesday’s Message…

Never Drive or Walk into Flood Waters Turn Around Don’t Drown! Flooding is one of the leading causes of weather related fatalities in the U.S. On average, flooding claims nearly 90 lives each year. More than half of these deaths occur in motor vehicles when people attempt to drive through flooded roadways. This happens because people underestimate the force and power of water, especially when it is moving.

Just six inches of fastmoving water can knock over and carry off an adult. Twelve inches of water can float a small car. If that water is moving, it can carry that car away. Eighteen to twentyfour inches of flowing water can carry away most vehicles, including large SUVs. It is impossible to tell the exact depth of water covering a roadway or the condition of the road below the water. This is especially true at
night when your vision is more limited. It is never safe to drive or walk through flood waters. Any time you come to a flooded road, walkway, or path, follow this simple rule: Turn Around Don’t Drown.

For more information and flood safety tips, visit: www.floodsafety.noaa.gov.

Image from The National Severe Storms Laboratory.

https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/news/podcasts/flashflood_car/