Counselor Safety:

Flood Survival

(Continued from newsletter)

Heavy rains and flooding can be deceptive to drivers and you can easily become stuck or even carried away by fast rising water. Of course, in any type of weather emergency you should avoid traveling if at all possible, but if you do have to you, this is what you should know:
  
In the U.S., floods are the number one weather-related killer;

Nearly half of all people killed in floods die while driving cars or trucks across flooded roads;

Even if water appears easy to drive through, remember that even water up to hub-cap level can cause a car to float away or in deeper water, to overturn or sink;

Fast-moving water and debris can inhibit escape from a vehicle;

The Astonishing Power of Water

Water weighs 62.4 lbs. per cubic foot. For each foot of water that rises, it pushes on buildings, vehicles and other property with 500 pounds of force. In effect, a car or truck weighs 1,500 pounds less or each foot of water that rises. Even without doing the math, this clearly means that even a foot or two of water that appears to be no more than a deep puddle can hold the power to lift and move your vehicle.

If You Become Stranded

The U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that if your vehicle does become stranded, it should be abandoned.  Passengers should move to higher ground as soon as possible, and by cell phone or other means, you should inform local law enforcement or emergency management officials of your situation and exact location. Once on high ground, stay put! Unless rising water begins to threaten your new location you should resist the temptation to "go for it" and try to swim or wade out of the flood.