Why should I worry about flooded roads?

Whether the flooding is caused by snow melt or heavy rain, you should be cautious when driving or walking in flood-susceptible areas because:

• As little as six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
• Two feet of floodwater can float your car.
• Water moving at 2 mph is capable of sweeping a car off a road or bridge.

Avoid flood-susceptible areas, especially low-lying streets where water commonly pools. Never attempt to walk or drive through a water-covered roadway, and beware of rising, swift-moving water.
If you are driving and come upon rapidly rising waters, turn around and find another route. If your route is blocked by barricades, find another route. Barricades are put up by state or local officials to protect travelers from unsafe roads. Driving around them can be a serious risk.

The road may be washed out below the water surface. Your vehicle may stall or get stuck in the water, and then get pushed off the road. Once off the road, vehicles often start to roll, making escape difficult or impossible. Many flood-related deaths in the United States are the result of an attempt to move a stalled vehicle.

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