The Carolinas got hit hard by Hurricane Florence and are beginning to recover from the excessive flooding in their towns. Unfortunately, if 2017 was any indicator, North Carolina’s residents know that this might not be the only hurricane that they experience this year. Even if the state gets lucky for the rest of 2018, there is no guarantee safer weather in 2019.
Regardless of what happens, our state is highly vulnerable to flooding around this time of year. Whether you are trying to get out of your city or go back to your house, you need to know the proper precautions to take before you get on the road. Just one mistake could result in death by drowning, electrocution or the blunt force of a falling object.
Avoid standing water if possible.
Even when it is not raining and the roads are no longer flowing rivers, try not to attempt driving in the deep waters if you can. 4 to 6 inches tends to be the limit and it is often unsanitary. Aside from being extremely difficult to control your speed and steering, you cannot see what is below you and if you are even driving on the road. Additionally, your engine could suck in the water and could potentially suffer permanent damage. If you are unable to repair your engine after it stalls, you should abandon it and find higher ground in Ashville to avoid drowning.
Steer clear of fallen power lines.
Broken power lines are dangerous enough on their own, but they become even more hazardous after a hurricane or flood. Since electric current passes through water easily, so stepping out of your vehicle and touching the water could result in electrocution. Contact the local police department or 911 to warn them of a broken power line in the area so they can take care of the issue immediately.
Test your vehicle before you go out.
On your brief stretch of road you have before you get to some of the main highways and intersections, get a feel for your vehicle’s speed and steering capabilities. Even if you want to get out of the area as soon as you can, you should not go without any idea of what you are doing. You are going to come across other vehicles and obstacles on the road, so you want to know how to properly navigate around them when the time arrives. It can also alert you if it is too dangerous to drive in the first place.
While North Carolina also advises tourists and residents to avoid driving in these unsavory conditions, you may find you do not have a choice if you want to survive. However, even with these dangerous roads, other drivers can still be liable if they strike your vehicle in a rush to get out of the area. If this occurs, you can try to eliminate some of the financial burdens from a hurricane by contacting an attorney that specializes in motor vehicle accidents.