Have you ever wondered what a flash flood is?
"Turn Around, Don't Drown" for flash floods; that is,
it recommends that people get out of the area of a flash flood, rather than trying to cross it.
Have you ever thought about what you should do if you got into one?
Would you know what to do if your kids are in the car with you?
I gave some serious thought to this a few weeks ago. As I'm driving in torrential rain my cell phone warning goes off for flash flooding.
All I could think about was getting home safely and would I know what to do if I got caught up in a flash flood.
I wasn't even that sure exactly what a flash flood was other than knowing it involved fast rising water.
So I decided to educate myself and here's what I learned.
What is a flash flood?
A flash flood is a rapid flooding of low-lying areas.
Flash floods are distinguished from a regular flood by a timescale of less than six hours.
Many people tend to underestimate the dangers of flash floods. What makes them dangerous is their sudden nature and fast moving water.
A vehicle provides little to no protection against being swept away; it may make people overconfident and less likely to avoid the flash flood.
As little as 2 feet (0.61 m) of water is enough to carry away most SUV-sized vehicles.
Surviving A Flood
- If on foot, do not attempt to walk through flood waters. Instead, turn around and go directly to higher ground.
- Make sure to keep children and pets away from flood waters, storm drains, and sewers.
- If you are in a car, drive away from flooded areas never try to take a shortcut through them.
- If your car stalls, immediately abandon it and climb to higher ground.
If you do find yourself trapped in a flooded vehicle, Cars.com reiterates the following important safety tips:
- Stay calm and try to keep your children calm. You'll need your wits about you.
- Turn on your headlights and hazard lights. This will make it easier for emergency personnel to see you.
- Unbuckle your seat belt and your kids.
- Unlock your doors.
- Take jackets and outer clothing off.
- Lower your window. Most electric windows should work unless the car is completely submerged in water.
- If you can lower the windows, do so, but slowly. Climb out. Get to high ground and call 911.
- If the windows will not open, you'll have to use a door to get out. But you won't be able to open a door until the water pressure is equalized between the outside and the inside of the car. This means you'll have to wait for water to enter the car and fill up to about your neck level (this sounds terrifying, but this is the only way the doors will open).
- Once the doors are open, tread water and swim to safety; call 911).
