VehiclVVehicles and Driving on Flooded Roads
Don't unless you really have to!
If youIf you have surplus vehicles get them to a friend’s house well out of the way
Park the vehicle you need in a sensible manner so emergency vehicles can get by
Don’t block other people entrances - they may need to get out quickly as water rises
Leave a note on your dashboard with your name and phone number so marshals can contact you
Do not drive around just looking - people are trying to help others and time is important
Check with parish and borough councils to information on safe/unsafe routes
Floods happen quickly and often without warning. There is nothing you can do to prevent a flood, and scientists warn that an effect of climate change will be more frequent flash flooding in the future.
Flooding facts
Don't unless you really have to!
If youIf you have surplus vehicles get them to a friend’s house well out of the way
Park the vehicle you need in a sensible manner so emergency vehicles can get by
Don’t block other people entrances - they may need to get out quickly as water rises
Leave a note on your dashboard with your name and phone number so marshals can contact you
Do not drive around just looking - people are trying to help others and time is important
Check with parish and borough councils to information on safe/unsafe routes
Floods happen quickly and often without warning. There is nothing you can do to prevent a flood, and scientists warn that an effect of climate change will be more frequent flash flooding in the future.
Flooding facts
- Just 150mm (six inches) of fast flowing water can knock an adult off their feet.
- Electric current can pass along downed power lines in flood waters.
- A car can float in just 600mm (two feet) of water.
- Flash floods can cause walls of water 10 to 20 feet high.
- Around five million people in the UK live in areas at risk of flooding.
- Remember flood water will probably contain sewage, which can cause disease. Always wash your hands / arms / legs after coming into contact with floodwater with hot water and soap. Keep contaminated footwear and clothing away from children.
- Do not allow children or animals to enter floodwater, as well as the risk of disease manhole covers may have dislodged under the pressure of floodwater creating a drowning risk. If you need to walk through floodwater consider using a pole (brush handle) to test the ground in front of you.
- Stay in first gear and drive slowly (less than 5mph) as the wash from your car could flood properties.
- Slip the clutch to keep the engine speed higher than normal avoiding a stall.
- Where possible drive towards the middle of the road to avoid the deeper water.
