Flooding Road Awareness/Safety

Flooding occurs somewhere in the United States almost every day, causing nearly 90 fatalities a year. Flooding can cause more damage than any other natural weather event, especially if you are not prepared. At Big Bags USA, we offer flood control systems to help your property from being damaged by a flood. Big Bags USA has earned its rank in the top ten flood barriers list. 

We hope you are stocked with barriers and prepared for a flood. But if you happen to get stuck driving in a flood, we want to make sure you have the skills and knowledge on how to successfully drive on flooded roads. It is best to stay off the road in flooded areas with standing water. But sometimes it is unplanned and can catch you off guard from your normal routine. If you must drive on roads in a flooded area, there are a few tips on how to drive your vehicle as safely as possible on the road during flooding.


Preparation

It is always best to prepare for the worst. Factor in extra travel time, as it is likely going to take you longer to get to your destination when you are driving slower than normal. Unexpected road closures are likely to occur as well. Make sure you have an emergency container filled with water, food, equipment, health supplies, etc. Anticipate for the worst so you are not caught off guard and completely unprepared. 
  • Ensure your wind wipers are working well or get those replaced before an anticipated storm. 
  • Fill the gas tank up before your journey, getting stuck in traffic or a flood will be a fuel hog.
  • Make sure your phone is fully charged so you can call family or friends or even 911 in an emergency.
  • Check your tires and make sure there is adequate air inside all of the tires.
  • Bring water & snacks.
  • Bring coats, towels, and blankets.

Decrease your speed 

It is always best to not drive on flooded roads. If a flood occurs and you are needing to drive somewhere, it is important to access the situation and proceed cautiously. Regardless of how well you see, water on the road can be deceiving. You may think it looks like only an inch or two, and quickly find out it is more flooded than you could see. 

Do Not Stop Your Vehicle 

You should not stop your vehicle completely in deep waters, as water will damage the engine of your vehicle. Just 6 inches of standing water can be enough to cause your engine to stall. In 1 foot of water, a car can start to float because of the lost traction and steering control. 

Turn on Hazards Lights

Always turn on your hazards lights to warn all drivers there is something to be cautious about. The hazard lights make your vehicle easy to spot as well as send a message to any other drivers. Make sure you are going very slow or at a stop when you turn these on, so you don’t become distracted and lose control of your vehicle.


After Drive Check

After you have driven through the rain or a flood, it is vital to check the safety of your vehicle so you can drive it with peace of mind. 
  • Tap on the break to check they have sufficient grip.
  • Check parts of your engine: oil dipstick, air filter, and a mill.
  • Electronics: Most vehicles are water-resistant at this point, but moisture can still enter causing shortages. 
  • Carpeting: Flood water can enter the inside of the vehicle at times, causing it to get damp. Do not let water sit in the vehicle, as it can lead to rust, mold, or a foul smell. Wipe the interior of your vehicle down. 
  • Also, make sure to dry the spare tire if that got wet as well.

It is important you know how to drive in all-weather events. Flooding is one of the most dangerous driving conditions. You could lose control of your vehicle or damage your vehicle, so having the necessary skills is vital. 

We always advise you to not drive at all in bad weather conditions, if possible. If you are home and have the luxury of a flood warning, make sure you are stocked up on everything you would need to keep you and your family safe during a flood. Big Bags USA flood control systems and flood barrier systems provide lightning-fast flood protection at a fraction of the cost of regular sandbags. We also offer speedy delivery in a pinch. Make sure you are stocked up on flood barrier bags and know where you’d place them to keep your house from flooding!




If you have an immediate need for our systems, or have any questions for us, please Call us Toll Free at 1-800-337-0537 or visit www.BigBagsUSA.com.


D.R.I.P.S.
Disaster Relief & Innovative
Protection Systems, LLC
(573) 480-6699

Let's Connect!

ALWAYS READY TO HELP LOCAL, STATE, & FEDERAL AGENCIES ... BE PREPARED!   

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ways to Use Big Bags USA® - Part 1

Image
Big Bags USA Flood Barriers are an innovative solution to a huge problem. Flooding occurs every single year across the nation. It’s caused by many different types of occurrences, both weather-related, and often times from failures due to man-made sources. The devastation that can be caused from a single flood is incredible, but it’s also heartbreaking to watch. This is what drove us to create the Big Bags Flood Barrier. Our system was made to be easy to afford, fast to deploy, and easy to save for the next time. Here are several ways you can use Big Bags flood barriers , and how they can make all of the difference in your situation. Flood Control This is one of the most common and popular uses for our easy deploy flood barriers . From the 2019 spring floods to the hurricanes on the East coast, our barriers are seen across the nation helping to control floodwaters. This could mean that we are protecting buildings from the water with these barriers, or even roads. Flood control ca...
Read more

Understanding Hydrophobic Soils

Image
Last year, California saw what has been considered the worst wildfire season on record! Unfortunately, those wildfires aren't the only thing people in those areas of California need to be concerned with. Those wildfires lead to what is known as "hydrophobic soils," which can lead to flooding and mud flows. Keep reading to learn more about hyrophobic soils and why people in California and other wildfire prone areas need to be prepared and have flood protection on hand. Hydrophobic Soils  Hydrophoic soils are just what they sound like, soils that "fear" water. This condition causes water to collect on the surface rather than infiltrate into the ground. The main cause of hydrophobic soils is wildfires. These soils are created when hydrocarbon residue is created after organic material is burnt. That then soaks into empty pore spaces in the soils, making it impervious to water. While this condition is temporary, it can increase water repellency, surface runof...
Read more

The Game Plan if it Floods at Your Business.

Image
  Unexpected floods can be caused by snow, excessive rain, thunderstorms, and many other natural causes. It can quickly happen and catch your business by surprise. It is important to keep in mind a few key flood control practices to keep you and your business as safe as possible. No building is completely waterproof, so it is necessary to have your ducks in a row if you are in a flood zone. Be sure to stock up on  Big Bags USA flood-control systems.  There are a variety of flood control products offered based on the nature of the flood. We will deploy based on your needs with a quick call to  Bigs Bags USA . Read on for a checklist of actions to take if your business or building floods. 1)  Shut Down all Utilities . Immediately turn off electricity and gas lines to your building. Also, shut off the water. If you are unsure where these are located, call your service provider.  2)  Contact Your Insurance . You should call your insurance company right awa...
Read more