Car Caught In A Flood? Here’s What To Do

by Novus AutoGlass Novus Auto Glass

Being trapped in a flooded car is a nightmare that can become a reality for drivers especially during the wet season. Heavy rains accompanied by rapid swelling of dry creeks or normally flowing rivers can result in flash floods which can suddenly appear and surround your car in a matter of seconds. Like most natural disasters, flash floods are unpredictable in nature and it is almost impossible for weather agencies to forecast them. Therefore, the likelihood of you finding yourself caught in a flood while driving isn’t that remote.

If you find yourself in such a situation, do know that you are in great mortal danger. Flash floods can claim lives and reports suggest that motorists fall victim to them more often than not. So, what should you do if your car gets caught in a flood? There are a number of possibilities here. However, some of them are worth considering while others can only get you into more trouble. Here is a list of do’s and don’ts for drivers of flooded cars that can prove to be the difference between life and death.

Do’s

Try to stay calm and keep a level head.
Make yourself visible to the rescue and emergency personnel by switching on the car’s hazard lights as well as headlights.
Unbuckle the seatbelt and remove any excess piece of clothing you are wearing such as jackets or gloves.
Slowly lower your car windows and try climbing out of the car. Reached higher ground and then call for help.
Try breaking the car window if you aren’t able to lower them. Make use of a Car Glass Repair if you have one for this purpose and exit the car. Only do this if the car hasn’t completely been submerged in water.
If car windows can’t be broken, unlock the doors and let the water come in and reach up to neck level before opening the door and escaping the submerged vehicle. This should only be used as a last resort.

Don’ts

Don’t panic and avoid making rash decisions like climbing on top of the car. If your car gets swept away, the flood water will carry you along with the car away from safety.
Don’t waste your energy on forcibly opening the doors. They won’t budge until the water pressure outside and inside the car isn’t equalized.
Stop worrying about your possessions. Your primary concern should be your life.
Don’t break the car windows if the car is completely submerged in water. The window glass will explode inwards if the water pressure inside and outside the car hasn’t equalized.
Don’t try to stay and float with your flooded car if you manage to climb out of it. Try and reach higher ground as quickly as possible and call for help.
Don’t try to rescue your car if you think the water level is receding. Let the rescue workers, tow your car to safety.

Car Windscreen Repair - Aside from following the above-mentioned advice, make sure that you don’t go driving in flood waters of unknown depths. The Weather Channel cautions people against it because it is hard to perceive the depth of the water during flash floods. You are most likely to misjudge it, especially when driving at night. Moreover, it is also important to keep in mind that even a few inches of water on the road can result in loss of steering control. If the water level rises to a couple of feet, even bigger vehicles like SUVs and trucks will get swept away.

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