Driving Through Deep Water Is a Risky Proposition.

9/24/2018 (Permalink)

Driving through deep water in Fallbrook, CA

The question of whether to drive over a badly flooded street does not arise often. Doing this would put you, your passengers and your vehicle at risk.

Accepting this risk assumes that:

• The water is not too deep.
• The water is not hiding a sinkhole or a washout.
• There is no submerged debris that could cause tire damage.
• Your vehicle won’t lose traction and float away.

Before you drive on a flooded street in Fallbrook,CA , you should make sure that you are ready with answers to a few important questions. More information about driving under hazardous conditions can be found in the travel tips section of many websites.

1. Am I Prepared to Walk out of This If Necessary?
It is one thing to answer this question for yourself. It is a completely different matter to answer this question for your passengers, especially small children. The flooded roads and submerged hazards pose a greater risk on foot than they did in the vehicle. The water is likely to be teeming with bacteria. Add live electrical wires, water snakes and alligators and it becomes a dismal situation.

2. Am I Prepared to Damage My Vehicle by Driving Through a Flood?
The likelihood of vehicle damage has a lot to do with ground clearance. Typical passenger vehicles have less than 10 inches of clearance. Expensive problems begin to occur once the water reaches the exhaust.

3. Do I Really Need to Make This Trip?
This is probably the most important question. If you are meeting a friend for coffee, the answer is probably no. If you are taking someone to the hospital emergency room, the answer is probably yes. Answer honestly.

Street Flooding Leads to Home Flooding
A flooded street is often a symptom of a bigger problem. If your home has flooded, consider bringing in a local flood cleanup specialist who can quickly return your life to normal. You will be the envy of all your neighbors.