What should you do if a flooded road blocks your drive?
Federal flood safety guidance stresses that drivers need to know how to handle a flooded road, but points readers to maps and educational resources rather than listing steps.
The National Weather Service's flood safety page does not spell out a step-by-step set of instructions for a driver who reaches a road that is under water. What it does say is that this situation matters a great deal, and that people should be ready for it before it happens.
The page is built as a teaching tool. Its stated purpose is to help readers stay safe when flooding occurs, and it notes that knowing how to act before, during and after a flood improves the odds of surviving and helps protect property. The agency treats a flooded road as one of the key situations it wants drivers to think about ahead of time, saying it is essential to be prepared for what to do if you are behind the wheel and come upon water covering the roadway.
For the actual details, the page directs visitors elsewhere on the site. It offers an interactive flood map, explanations of the different kinds of flooding, and educational material. It also covers the way the agency informs the public about flooding that could become dangerous, using alerts and warnings.
Readers are also invited to learn from accounts written by people who lived through floods. Anyone who has been affected by flooding is asked to send in their story so others can avoid the same harm. The page notes that stories submitted may be used by the agency, and asks that the town, state and year of the event be included if possible.