Flood risk isn’t only to building and personal property. Too many drivers quickly find themselves “over their heads” when encountering flooded roadways. And the risk of harm is greatly increased by assuming either the waters are too minor or their vehicle too large to be significantly affected. For example, it is notoriously difficult, especially under darkened conditions, to accurately judge the depth of water on a flooded road. In addition, the flood waters may hide the fact the road bed is washed out, making the situation even more hazardous. Why is knowing the depth of the waters critical for drivers?
According to the experts at FEMA:
· It only takes six inches of water to reach the bottom of most cars. Result? Loss of control and stalling.
· Twelve inches of water will actually float many vehicles.
· Twenty-four inches of water is sufficient to wash away even SUVs and pick-ups.
Sources:
http://www.ready.gov/floods
https://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/flood_facts.jsp