What if the roadway is flooded?

• Never attempt to drive through a flood that you couldn’t walk through, and be aware that water hides dips in the road. There may be no road at all under the water. Flooding can wash away the entire road surface and a significant amount of the ground beneath it.
• Just six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars. This depth can cause loss of control or possible stalling as water is sucked into the exhaust or washes into the air intake.
• If negotiating a flooded section of road, drive in the middle where the water will be at its shallowest.
• Consider other drivers. Pass through flooded sections one car at a time. Don’t drive through water against approaching vehicles.
• Many cars will start to float in as little as one foot of water. This can be extremely dangerous because, as the wheels lose grip, you lose control.
• Two feet of flowing water can sweep away most vehicles, including large four-wheel drive cars. Don’t try to drive through fast-moving water, such as on a flooded bridge. Your car could easily be swept away.