Flash Flooding is the Number 1 weather-related killer in the United States.
Flash floods can occur during or right after a severe thunderstorm or other weather-related event.
Flash floods can occur within a few minutes or hours of heavy rainfall or other conditions.
Nearly half of all flash flood fatalities involve vehicles.
What to Do
If the National Weather Service issues a Flash Flood Warning, or if you observe water rising quickly, take action immediately.
• DO NOT DRIVE through flooded areas. If you see a flooded roadway ahead, turn around and find another route to your destination.
• Get far away from areas subject to flooding (dips, low spots, canyons, dry creek beds, or along a stream). Seek higher, safer ground.
• Avoid areas near rivers or streams and areas that are already flooded. Roads that are underwater may no longer be intact. NEVER drive through flooded roadways.
• If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground. Rapidly rising water may engulf the vehicle and sweep it away.
• Be very careful at night when it is harder to see flood dangers.
• Do not park your vehicle along streams, dry streambeds, or arroyos* during threatening conditions. (Idaho DMV)
*An arroyo is a water-carved gully or normally dry creek bed. Arroyos can fill with fast-moving water very quickly.
You will not always have a warning flash floods are coming. Most flood deaths are due to flash flooding. Turn around, don’t drown.
I’ve noticed there are a number of YouTube videos showing trucks driving through deep waters and flooded roads. This is not a good idea for a number of reasons. Drivers cannot see what they are driving on, or if the road hasn’t washed out. Water and vehicle electrical systems do not mix well. Grit becomes packed in the wheels and brakes. This list goes on. This is simply poor judgement on part of the drivers.
Don’t be this guy . . .
Thank you for reading this.