What to do if the road is flooded

Of course the best thing to do is not drive.

If you must drive and happen along on a flooded area that you need to travel what do you do?

Unless you can see the road through the water try another route. If you must travel on your route get out of the vehicle and walk the route if the water is not rushing.

Carefully inspect the road and depth of the water, try to find something (sticks/limbs) to mark the edge of the road. A lot of times the edge of a road will wash away on the ditch side stay in the middle.


If the water is above about 10" deep turn around and make a call, unless you have a truck. Remember you have an engine with external rotating parts that can and will grab that water and possibly stall the engine.

If you pass a flooded road remember to ride your brakes through the water and when you exit to help keep and dry your brakes, you need them. ;) also, creep through the water as slow as possible.


If you think the water is as high as your rocker panels (bottom of the doors) don't try it. If the vehicle in front of you makes it through that does not mean you can. Call somebody.


Be careful and be safe. If the passage is questionable, turn around and don't chance it.