Reasons To Steer Clear of Flooded Streets

5/27/2022 (Permalink)

A flooded street may pose more problems to you and your vehicle than you expect.

Flooded Streets: Why Should You Avoid Them?

Not many people expect rain to impede their daily commute. When there is a flash flood warning in Bluffton, SC, however, you need to be mindful of your usual route to wherever you are trying to go. Driving through a flooded street can have a lot of negative consequences.

Car Damage
Monitor the roads carefully as you plan your route on stormy days. Driving through standing water can cause a lot of damage to your vehicle:

• Rusted parts
  
• Contaminated fluids
  
• Electronic shortages
  
• Hydrolocking
  
  

Another problem that flood damage mitigation experts often see is mold damage from floodwaters to the interior of cars. To protect your vehicle, you need to avoid driving through puddles that are so big that you can't see the bottom of them. It's better to take a long way around than put your car in peril.

Obstructed View
It's always important to be able to see where you're going when you drive. The main hazard of a flooded street is that it obstructs your view of what's in front of you. Don't assume that the road is the same as it usually is. Under the water, there may be debris blocking the path, or the asphalt could be broken up, creating dangerous potholes or sinkholes. Find a way around the flooded area.

Travel Tips for General Safety
You don't know how deep the water goes on flooded roads. It's not unusual for cars to be swept away in rushing floodwaters, taking their panicked drivers with them. Even more concerning, you may not be able to escape your car quickly if this happens. To keep control of your vehicle, you need to stay on pavement that you can see. It's better to turn around and go home than take unnecessary risks.
A flooded street may pose more problems to you and your vehicle than you expect. Therefore, it's in your best interest to never drive through standing water on roads.