According to the National Weather Service, every year there are more deaths caused by flooding compared to any other thunderstorm-related hazard.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous floodwater. It’s also very dangerous to walk into or near floodwater. It’s reportedly the next highest percentage of flood related deaths. The force and power of water is unpredictable, cars can easily be swept away, imagine a person. Many of those drowning deaths were preventable.
It’s important to turn around when encountering flooded roads, don’t drown. The weather service advises to never drive around the barriers blocking a flooded road. In some cases, the road may have collapsed under that water. It reportedly takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just two feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks.
