NEWS

Flood and High Wind Safety: What Every Driver and Family Needs to Know

As storms intensify and flooding becomes more common across the Pacific Northwest and beyond, public safety officials continue to emphasize one life-saving truth: most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles. The safety guidance outlined in this  emergency flood article. Knowing what just a few inches of water can do, and how to respond in fast-changing conditions, can mean the difference between life and death.

Wet Weather Driving: Small Changes Save Lives

During heavy rain and flooding, driving conditions change instantly. Even familiar roads can become dangerous without warning. Officials recommend the following precautions whenever storms impact travel:

  • Slow down – Reduced traction and standing water increase stopping distance.
  • Leave extra room between vehicles – Sudden stops are common in storm conditions.
  • Allow extra travel time – Rushing leads to poor decisions.
  • Turn on headlights – Visibility drops quickly in heavy rain.
  • Watch for water pooling on roads – This is where hydroplaning begins.
  • Turn off cruise control – You need full control of your vehicle at all times.

The Shocking Power of Just a Few Inches of Water

Many people underestimate the force of moving water. The reality is sobering:

  • 6 inches of water is enough to knock a person off their feet and stall most vehicles.
  • 1 foot of water can cause you to lose control of your vehicle entirely.
  • 2 feet of water can sweep away SUVs, trucks, and larger vehicles.

Water doesn’t have to be fast-moving to be deadly. Once your tires lose contact with the pavement, your vehicle becomes a floating object with no steering control.

“Can’t See the Road? Don’t Drive Through the Water.”

Floodwater hides washed-out pavement, missing culverts, sinkholes, debris, and stalled vehicles beneath the surface. If floodwaters surround your vehicle:

  • If the water is not moving: Abandon the car, seek higher ground, and call for help.
  • If the water is moving: Do not exit your vehicle. Moving water can overpower you instantly.

The safest option is always to avoid driving into floodwater in the first place.

Turn Around, Don’t Drown®

Emergency officials across the country repeat one clear directive:

Never drive or walk through standing water if you can’t tell how deep it is.

Floodwater often conceals:

  • Washed-out roadbeds
  • Open manholes
  • Missing bridges
  • Sharp debris
  • Hidden currents

What looks like a shallow puddle can be a deadly drop-off.

How to Recover from Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning occurs when your tires lose contact with the road due to a thin layer of water. If it happens:

  • Do not panic
  • Avoid hard braking or sudden turns
  • Ease off the gas
  • Lightly pump the brakes (or apply steady pressure if you have ABS)

Overcorrection is one of the most common causes of rollover crashes in wet conditions.

Downed Power Lines: A Deadly Hidden Hazard

Flooding and high winds often bring down power lines—creating invisible, lethal danger. If you encounter a downed line:

  • Stay far away and call 911 immediately
  • Always assume the line is live
  • Do not touch anything in contact with a fallen line
  • If a power line touches your vehicle:
    • Stay inside
    • Honk your horn
    • Call 911
    • Wait for emergency responders or utility crews before exiting

If fire forces you to escape:

  • Remove loose clothing
  • Jump clear of the vehicle without touching it
  • Shuffle away with both feet together to avoid electrical grounding

Safety Is a Community Responsibility

Flooding doesn’t only affect drivers—it impacts emergency responders, public works crews, utility workers, and neighbors trying to help neighbors. Obeying detours and road-closure signs is not optional. Driving around a barricade puts lives at risk and makes rescue operations more dangerous for everyone.

As storms intensify and river levels rise more frequently, this kind of safety awareness becomes a fundamental part of community resilience.

Final Message: Respect the Water

Floodwater is deceptively powerful, fast, and unforgiving. Every major safety rule boils down to one core principle:

If the road is flooded—do not proceed.
If the water is moving—do not exit your vehicle. Use caution always.
If power lines are down—stay away and call 911.

Preparedness, patience, and caution save lives.