It’s probably something you’ve done at least once in the past. While driving to or from work, for example, you’re caught in a downpour that leaves sections of the road flooded. The water doesn’t look too deep so you plow through and make it safely to drier ground. You took a chance and got lucky. But too often the gamble doesn’t pay off. In an average year, more than 100 people are killed in the United States by flooding. Most of these deaths occur because careless or unsuspecting motorists try to drive their vehicles across flooded roads. Would-be rescuers in these situations, such as firemen and policemen, sometimes become victims themselves. Countless other people are more fortunate and are able to escape their stalled vehicles for safety, or are saved by rescue teams. Why do so many of us try to drive across flooded roadways? It seems we have a false sense of security in our “heavy” cars and trucks. But a 3,000-pound car is usually no match for 18-24 inches of moving water. And trucks and SUVs don’t fare much better. The rule of thumb for anyone who comes to a flooded roadway is Turn Around, Don’t Drown!

Credit: Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Inc. (FLASH)

Turn Around, Don’t Drown Animation