Here's What You Should Know If Your Car Is Stuck In a Flash Flood
What should you do if your car is stuck in a flash flood? Follow these tips from an expert.
Written by Andrew Kidd
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Extreme weather
is becoming more common thanks to the effects of climate change
—whether you believe in it or not.Even if you don't for some reason, it's still a great idea to have an emergency plan in place in case you're caught in a flash flood somewhere inconvenient, like in your own vehicle.
As
Fox News
reports, deadly floods in Kentucky have made many painfully aware of how dangerous rising flood waters can be, especially for residents of flood-prone areas.What you can do in a flash flood
With climate change causing more severe weather—like massive rainfall and extreme heat—all over the world, it pays to be prepared.
Roads can quickly become covered in water during flash floods. It takes just a foot of flowing water to be able to carry away your vehicle, while heavy flooding can pull cars off the road and into deeper areas.
The National Weather Service recommends drivers avoid flooded roads completely, noting that even if it looks safe, it probably isn't.
People tend to underestimate the force and power of water; six inches of water can knock over an adult, while a foot carries away most passenger cars. Two feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks.
And it's never safe to drive in floodwaters, as they can obscure a road that's been swept away underneath. Most vehicle-related deaths from flooding tend to occur in vehicles that have been swept downstream.
What if I have no choice?
The best method to avoid becoming a statistic is to stay informed, avoid flooded areas, and evacuate in advance if necessary.
But if you find yourself in an unavoidable situation (whether through an act of nature or your own stupidity), you should be prepared to act.
Experts consulted by Fox News recommend undoing your seat belt in case your vehicle is flipped by flood waters. That doesn't mean leaving the
vehicle
; you are better protected in your vehicle than you are floating exposed in flood waters.Experts also recommend cracking windows while the vehicle still has the power to help keep water out but also make the window easier to break if needed. If the vehicle starts filling up with water, it's time to get on the roof instead of swimming away. Standing on your car roof makes it easier for rescuers to spot you.
If you need to break glass, you should invest in a small emergency window hammer, but the front seat headrest's metal posts will work in a pinch.
When exiting onto the roof, experts advise using the seatbelt as a handhold while using the seat, armrest, and windowsill as steps.
If you fall off or the vehicle completely submerges, swim to the nearest high ground or grab onto anything in the water that's not moving.
Record flooding in Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky was ravaged by historic floods in late July after as much as a foot of rain fell in the region with officials confirming the deaths of at least 39 people.
Kentucky isn't alone as it faces flooding, as western Virginia and southern West Virginia also contend with flooding that has overrun roads. Similarly, St. Louis has recorded the most rainfall since 1915.
And it's a trend that has gotten worse in recent history; according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. has seen a 20% increase in the amount of rain falling during the heaviest downpours over the last century—a trend that doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon.
NOAA predicts 14-20 named storms with winds of 39 mph or greater. Of those, 6-10 could become hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or greater. Of those, 3-5 could become major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or greater.
On top of heavy rainfall and flash flooding, hurricanes can cause storm surges, which are abnormal rises in water levels caused by a storm's winds. That means coastal communities can see catastrophic flooding as well.
How can we stop climate change?
To slow the effects of climate change, world governments need to enact policies to limit the emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide.
NASA
estimates that the rise in global temperatures would begin to flatten in a few years if we stopped emitting greenhouse gases today, though they'd remain at this level for several centuries.The current effects of climate change are irreversible on the timescale of a human lifespan—meaning this is the new reality for all of us alive today.
In the meantime, check with your homeowner’s insurance company about adding
flood insurance
. If you are looking for a new home or auto policy, give Jerry
a try! Jerry is an insurance comparison app that shops for low prices with over 55+ different auto and home insurance companies for free.
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