What do you do when your vehicle is caught in a flood?

With hurricane season upon us and flooding devastating the southeast, it’s a good idea to remember that such disasters can strike Orange County, California. Warnings from the Orange County Flood Control District or NOAA Weather Radio can help you prepare for an expected deluge, but your car may also get caught in a flash flood, which happens with no warning. These tips can also help to survive.

Can you get out?

When you drive during a rainstorm, avoid puddles and low-lying areas where water can collect. If you’re approaching a flood on the road, don’t risk going through it, or your vehicle may stall, trapping you in the water. Turn around, and if you’re near a parking garage, drive to the top to wait it out.

If flooding is imminent, the best way to cope is to move to higher ground immediately, on foot, if possible. It takes only six inches of fast-moving water to move a person away or stall a car and only about a foot, or halfway up the tires of an SUV or truck, to sweep the vehicle away. Watch out for fallen power lines, which can electrocute you if they hit the water that you’re in.

When you’re in your car, if water is already surrounding your vehicle, do the following.

Don’t panic. Keeping calm can mean the difference between life and death. Take a deep breath as you decide how to act.

Forget about 911 on your smartphone. Emergency services won’t get to you within the 30 seconds or less that it takes for water to fill your interior. Your first responsibility is to leave your vehicle immediately.
Remove your seat belt and roll down the window as soon as possible. Your car’s electrical system is likely to fail, so you want to get the glass down before that happens. Don’t bother trying to open your door because the force of the water can make that impossible.

Swim out the window and get to the roof of your car. You can call 911 from there. Try to remain there for as long as you can because it’s easier for rescuers to find you.

You may be knocked off the roof or the water may be rising too high for you to stay. In either case, swim with the flow of the water to a calmer area or to higher ground that is not flooded. Keep your feet up to avoid being trapped by underwater debris or being pulled under.

After the flood

After the waters have receded and you’ve recovered your vehicle, assess it for any damage and avoid starting the engine, which may cause more problems. File a claim with your insurance company and arrange to have your vehicle towed to a service department of one of the dealers in the Beach Boulevard of Cars in Huntington Beach.
Certified automotive technicians can then begin drying your vehicle and inspect it for any issues that have to be addressed before your car can be brought back to working order. If the damage is too extensive, it may be totaled, which is a discussion you can have with your insurance agent.