Currently, many areas of Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas are under flash flood warnings. Much of the area has received between 3-6 inches of rain since Saturday, December 26, 2105, and rain is still falling at the present time. Floods can occur anywhere there is a low-lying area near creeks, rivers or other ditches. Flooding can occur gradually and flash floods can strike suddenly. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), flash floods are the number one weather-related killer in the United States. FEMA’s data shows that most flood fatalities happen because people try to drive through flood waters rather than avoid them.

It is important to know and follow flood safety while driving. The force of flood waters can easily move even large SUV’s caught in a flood. Here are some tips to follow for flood safety while driving:

1. Pay attention to barricades and road closed signs.
2. Do not drive through standing or swiftly moving water on roads or in parking lots. Turn around and take an alternate route.
3. Take extra precautions if you’re forced to drive through water because there is no other reasonable alternative, driving slowly and steadily through the water.
4. Avoid downed electrical power lines since electric current passes through water easily.
5. If you become trapped in rising water, immediately abandon your vehicle for higher ground. Try to open the door or roll down the window to get out. If you are unable to get out safely, call 911 for help.

The following video explains how flood waters rise so quickly and provides additional tips for flood safety while driving:

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If you have driven through deep water, there’s a chance for serious damage to your vehicle’s engine. Flood water damage can lead an insurer to declare your vehicle a total loss. If you have driven through deep water, don’t drive your vehicle until it’s checked out by a mechanic to make sure that the electrical components of your engine are safe.

If you have difficulty with your auto insurance carrier paying for flood damage, contact Kennedy, Kennedy, Robbins & Yarbro, LC or call us at (573)686-2459.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]