With the heavy rain central Indiana has already seen, Indiana State Police troopers are reporting water flowing over some county roads. With more rain expected tonight, remember that flash flooding can occur even after just a few minutes of heavy rainfall. The Indiana State Police offers the following flood safety tips.
- Always carry a cell phone and charger.
- Pay attention to local media reports and heed warnings issued by the National Weather Service.
- Never drive around barricades at water crossings.
- Be especially careful at night and early morning as it can be difficult to see water and its depth across the roadway.
- Reduce your speed in rain and never enter flowing water. Driving through water creates less tire contact with the road surface (hydroplaning) and increases your chance of crashing.
- Driving through water affects your brakes reducing their effectiveness until they dry out.
- If you end up in water, immediately abandon your vehicle, exit through a window and climb on top of your car. Call 911 from the top and wait for help to arrive. Ride the top like a boat, as vehicles will often float for several minutes.
- Be aware that road erosion can occur anytime there is running or standing water on a roadway.
- Remember it only takes six inches of water to reach the bottom of most car doors and one foot of water to float most vehicles.
For more information about flood safety, including a video on how to escape a car that crashes into water, visit the Indiana State Police web site at in.gov/isp/2964.htm.