Turn Around Don’t Drown®

Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water.

Many drivers over estimate their ability to navigate flooded  roads, putting too much stock in their “heavy” vehicles. In reality, most motorists lose control of their vehicles, including SUVs, in just six inches of water, while 18-24 inches of moving water will force a vehicle off the road. The menace is buoyant force. When the buoyant force is greater than the vehicle’s weight, the vehicle will move with the moving water. Besides the buoyant force, erosion is another significant concern. Moving water is very powerful and can undermine the integrity of a road. A motorist will be unaware he is driving into a scoured out section of the road.

Follow These Safety Rules

• Monitor the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, or your favorite news source for vital weather related information. If flooding occurs, get to higher ground.
• Get out of areas subject to flooding. These include dips, low spots, canyons, and normally dry washes.
• Avoid roads already flooded.
• Road may be washed out under flood waters. Turn Around Don’t Drown when you encounter a flooded road. If heavy rain is forecast or occurring, move your camp site and ve- hicle away from streams and washes. Be especially cautious when driving at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

Article from National Weather Service