The majority of flood-related deaths are caused by people attempting to drive through moving water. Most cars will float (and be swept away) in 18-24 inches of moving water. Trucks and SUVs are not much better with only 6-12 more inches of clearance. Creeks and rivers can rise very rapidly and the road bottom can also wash away making the water much deeper than it appears. Ironically, many drivers rescued from flood waters report that they were in a hurry to get home– to safety — as a reason for tempting the danger of driving into water. However it looks, and despite what car commercials depict, driving into flood waters could be the most dangerous things one might ever try. Do not drive into water with your car or truck.
Get more information at the National Weather Service “Turn Around Don’t Drown” site.
