We’re in the heart of summertime and with the hot rays and humidity, comes the heavy rainstorms that we love oh so much. When it storms and there is heavy rain the chance of a flood is much higher than normal rainstorms, but flooding can also be caused by blocked drains, burst water mains, tides and burst river banks. So no matter where you live you could experience flooding. And although it might have rained so hard the roads are flood you still have to get home from work, school, etc. so what do you do? When is it too flooded to drive? Don’t stress I’ve got everything you need to know as a driver if you find yourself driving in a flood. Driving in HEAVY water: Turn your headlights on- it can sometimes be hard to see in heavy rain and you want to be sure other drivers can see you Use fog lights: fog lights will help you see better when you can’t see through the rain Leave Lots of room: It is SO important to leave room during these storms, people can slide, or they might break and you don't see them till it’s too late Slow down: If you feel that light due to hydroplaning, ease up on the gas and gradually decelerate, DON’T slam on the breaks Standing Water: Avoid standing water if you can, you don’t know how deep it is until you enter it and too much water is bad for your car If you’re unsure if you should drive through standing water let another car pass to see how deep it is. The rule is don’t enter standing water more than 4” deep If you do have to drive through standing water make sure you go slow and don’t cause waves Test your brakes immediately after If the water is moving fast NEVER enter it! What to look out for: Look out for slip and trip hazards like curbs under the water Manhole covers can get lifted and moved Water levels can change quickly Assume that flood water is contaminated Driving during a flood is never a great idea but it is understandable that sometimes there is nothing we can do about. Drive extra cautious is extremely important, be over-vigilant to dangers that could be lurking under the water. Most summer storms pass pretty quick so if you can pull over and wait out the storm you should do so. When it comes to a flooding due to a main break or another reason see if there is alternate root. Standing water is not safe for you or your vehicle if you have to go through proceed with caution. If you experience any damage call for help. Need to Maintenance Your Car After The Storm?! Let Us Help!