How to Drive in a Flood

Have you ever gotten caught in a torrential downpour? It can be scary. Weather forecasters are predicting more than average rainfall for this fall and winter. At Mount Airy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram we want our customers to be fully prepared while driving. Flash flooding can be a dangerous situation especially when you are out driving. Here are some tips on how to drive in a flood:

1.      Prepare an emergency kit. It’s a great idea to keep an emergency kit in your car in case of severe weather. Things to pack in the kit should include a flashlight, radio with batteries, drinking water, blanket or sleeping bag, maps, and flares. Be familiar with routes that a likely to flood and avoid those routes.

2.      Never Drive Through a Roadblock. If a road is blocked by barricades, do not attempt to drive through them. Trust that emergency workers have assessed the road and determined it impassable. Also, if you notice down power lines, call the authorities so they can deal with the possible danger.

3.      Estimate the Depth. Before driving through pooling or standing water, estimate how deep the water is. If it looks like more than 6 inches or if you can’t tell how deep it is, turn around and find another route. A car can stall in as little as 6 inches and be carried away in a foot of water.

4.      Drive slowly. If you attempt to drive through standing water, be sure to drive a slow pace. If there are other cars, let each car pass one at time. Turn off you’re a/c or heat to keep the air vent from sucking in water.

5.      Get to Higher Ground. If your car stalls or gets stuck in pooling water, get out and move to higher ground. Do not stay in your car. Water can sweep away your car with you in it if you are not careful. Remember it’s a car not a boat!

These safety tips will help you navigate your way through a flood. Remember to err on the side of caution during heavy rains.

Mount Airy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is located at 538 N. Andy Griffith Parkway Mount Airy, NC 27030. We are a full-service dealership with sales, finance, and service departments. For more information about the dealership or the 2016 models, call them at 888-486-2718 or visit their website at www.clickmountairy.com.