Driving Safety+Alerts
Visit Additional Information about Hillsborough Flood Safety:
Flood Safety Home Flood Prone Roads Remain Prepared Resources
What do Different Flood Warnings Mean?
Flood WATCH: flash flooding conditions are favorable, come up with a plan in case conditions worsen
Flash Flood WARNING: flooding is occurring or will very soon, sent to a smaller more specific area than emergency, mostly sent out due to heavy rain, act soon to ensure your safety, stay off the roads and get to higher ground
Flash Flood EMERGENCY: sent out in rare scenarios due to extremely heavy rain. Immense damage is happening or will soon. Sent out when water levels are life threatening where first responders begin conducting water rescues
*KNOW THE DIFFERENCE*
What to do if Caught in a Flood...
If your vehicle is trapped in rapidly moving water, stay in the vehicle until you can safely exit.
If water is moving at a high velocity and is rapidly rising in the vehicle, exit the vehicle immediately, seek refuge on the roof of the vehicle, and signal for help.
If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately (unless water is moving at a high velocity) and move to higher ground. Rapidly rising water can engulf the vehicle and its occupants, sweeping them away.
If car becomes surrounded or engulfed by water, tools such as a glass window breaker can be used to break the window of your car, providing an area to escape (only if the car window is made of tempered glass).
FIND INFORMATIVE VIDEO ON EXITING A CAR AND HOW TO USE GLASS BREAKER
Dave Foelsch's Tips+Advice for New Drivers
“Do not drive into any water, even if you think you know how deep it is.”
“Be situationally aware. If there are flood prone conditions, stay inside and avoid known low lying roads. You do not have much driving experience, meaning you may not know how to handle your car. If you do not have much driving experience, a new driver, or not familiar with how your car handles in severe weather conditions, consider staying home.”
“Check weather and warnings/alerts sent out. If you are out when you get an alert, drive home as soon as possible.”
“If you absolutely have to be out, be smart.”
“Just because the actual rain has stopped and the sun is out does not mean it is ok to drive after a flood!”
Dave Foelsch
Hillsborough Fire Marshal
Swift Water Rescue tech
Flood Expert
Disasters Don't Plan Ahead.
YOU Can.
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