How to Drive in Flooded Areas

As the rain keeps pouring down, we encourage everyone to take every precaution necessary when driving!! Floods are occurring around the Lake area and flash floods are striking suddenly. 

Most flood fatalities happen because people try to drive through deadly waters rather than avoid them.  Please use caution and talk to younger drivers in your home about the dangers of driving through flooded areas.  Here are a few tips to review for driving in these weather conditions.
  • Pay attention to barricades - Don't ignore them by driving past them.
  • Do not drive through standing water on roads or in parking lots. The average automobile can be swept off the road in 12 inches of moving water, and roads covered by water are prone to collapse. Attempting to drive through water also may stall your engine, with the potential to cause irreparable damage if you try to restart the engine. If you come upon a flooded street, take an alternate route.
  • Take extra precautions if you're forced to drive through water. If no alternate route exists and you have no other reasonable alternative but to drive through standing water.
  • Do your best to estimate the depth of the water (if other cars are driving through, take note of how deep the water is).
  • Drive slowly and steadily through the water.
  • Do Not drive in water that downed electrical or power lines have fallen in — electric current passes through water easily.
  • Watch for items traveling downstream — they can trap or crush you if you're in their path.
  • Stay off the telephone unless you must report severe injuries.
  • If your vehicle stalls in the deep water, you may need to restart the engine to make it to safety. Keep in mind that restarting may cause irreparable damage to the engine.
  • If you can't restart your vehicle and you become trapped in rising water, immediately abandon it for higher ground. Try to open the door or roll down the window to get out of the vehicle. If you are unable to get out safely, call 911 or get the attention of a passerby or someone standing on higher ground so that they may call for help.
Remember, if you have any doubts about the condition of the roads, it is always in your best interest to avoid the road and try to find an alternative route.  A detour that takes you out of harms way is well worth the extra drive.  Be safe!
We are proud to be the Lake of the Ozarks Chevrolet Dealer - we would love the opportunity to let you take one of our award winning vehicles for a test drive!   

The Team at Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC

513 N. Business Route 5
Camdenton, MO  65020
Sales: 573.317.4197
Service:  573.317.4195

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