Risk Management Tip

Flooded Roadways

Flash Floods are the deadliest weather-related incidents in the United States. Most incidents occur because drivers attempt to drive through flooded roadways instead of avoiding them. Water is a force that does not need much depth to overpower a vehicle. To stay safe in flash floods, do not attempt to drive through a flooded roadway. Keep these facts and tips in mind when driving during flash flood warnings and other extreme wet-weather conditions:

• Just six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and possible stalling.
• One foot of water is enough to float many vehicles.
• Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) and pick-ups.
• The depth of standing water is not always obvious
• Flooding can cause the sudden erosion of road beds.
• Barricades and road closing signs should always be heeded in the event of flooding.

For more about flash flood driving safety, read Progressive’s tips about How to Drive in a Flood. Visit ready.gov/floods for all flood safety information.