Flooded Roads Can Cause Tragedy

Heavy rains can cause more damage than you think so don't be fooled into thinking that walking through a foot of water in a kiddie pool is the same as a foot of moving water on a road. 
AAA reminds drivers that flash flooding can occur extremely quickly—thus the "flash"—and that hazardous conditions often can be more difficult to escape than drivers think. 

For example:

• Water moving at only 4 mph (equal to a brisk walking pace) exerts about 66 pounds of force on everything it encounters.

• Double the speed to 8 mph, and the force escalates to 264 pounds of force.

• 6 inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, resulting in a loss of control and possible stalling.

• 1 foot of water will float many vehicles.

• 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pick-ups.

• According to USATODAY.com, approximately 60 percent of all flood deaths are people in moving vehicles that water has swept away.

So if you find yourself driving through heavy rain, AAA suggests adhering to three rules:

• If you cannot tell how deep the water is, assume it is too deep and take an alternate route.

• Back roads and short cuts are usually the first to flood. Try to stick with designated evacuation routes.

• If a road is blocked off, do not try to pass anyway. The road may be washed out. Additionally, ignoring a roadblock now ILLEGAL in Pennsylvania.