Turn Around, Don’t Drown
National Weather Service issues flash flood watches, warnings
The National Weather Service is predicting storms throughout the weekend. That means drivers should pay particular attention to the danger of driving through standing water on streets and highways.
As of Saturday morning, a Flash Flood Watch was issued by the NWS all the way through 7 a.m. on Sunday morning. Flash Flood Warnings have been issued periodically for areas where the problem is particularly severe.
More warnings could be issued later today and tonight, if needed.
On Saturday morning, a woman driving on East 32nd Street, east of Prigmore reported hydroplaned off the road and into the water, escaping by going through her sunroof. She was assisted in escaping by a Good Samaritan who was driving by and took action.
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. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. People underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in cars swept downstream. Many of these drownings are preventable. Never drive around the barriers blocking a flooded road. The road may have collapsed under that water.
A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.
It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks.