Floods and Cars

I’m typing this because I’ve worked in a flood situation. Many times. To my frustration I’ve seen first hand on many occasions the disregard and ignorance form the members of the public. I’ve rescued cars. Swam to cars – just think about it “I’ve swam to cars” how? Why? It’s just wrong. But yes, as a swift water rescue technician that’s what you do. I’ve also argued with people whilst stood in full water rescue gear about them driving past me! In the end, it was easier to let them go rather than enter confrontation. Some people can’t be told, regardless who’s telling them. Expert or not!

The problem is rain has to go somewhere, but when the water table is already saturated and high, rivers are at breaking point then inevitably it can only go one place – homes, businesses and roads. Truly devastating. Tragic. Sad and majorly disruptive. Life threatening even as unfortunately we’ve found out this last week.

This article is a little rant. A rant at people who suddenly become arm chair critics on social media. At rant at people who blatantly disregard advice from experts such as 999 crews, councils and agencies involved in protecting life and homes. Those who think they know better than most. Let me explain…

So many dangers in this image.

During incidents such as flooding, social media is a massive source of information. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are to name a few. Corporate social media teams typing frantically trying to keep up with changing situations along with emails and members of the public reports. The guys on the ground tweeting live. Whilst trying to do a sterling job and keep themselves safe.

People also need to be aware that driving into a flood doesn’t just put you at risk. It damages homes. The road you’ve driven down through a village or shopping area will cause problems. Your bow wave will enter properties and cause yet more damage and distraction for home owners and businesses. Just think about them!

Anyway, here’s some info. I want you to digest it. Share it even; 6 inches of flowing water will sweep an adult off their feet, 12 inches will make a car float, and 2 feet of moving water will wash a car away. Do those figures get you thinking? No? Well how about all the others dangers you cannot see? What’s under the surface? Possibly raised man hole covers, washed away roads, and other debris. Then there is the risk of deadly disease and contaminates in floodwater that you cannot see.

All of these pose a risk not only to you, but also rescuers who ultimately will have to come to get you. Fords are incredibly dangerous; they change minute by minute depending on rainfall and rising river levels. They kill people.

Yet despite all of the above facts, people think they know best! People ignore warnings. A massive issue during flooding events are drivers moving “Road Closed” signs and pedestrians moving barriers. It’s non stop. Despite agencies, emergency crews and police advising against it, people still do it. On a huge scale! Why? Why on earth would you want to? Why would you want to put your life at risk and those of rescuers who will have to come get you, your family or even your bodies! It doesn’t matter if you went through an hour ago, or you know the road or you’ve got a 4×4. Flooding is dynamic. The flow and height of water changes minute on minute. The damage to the surface could change in a blink of an eye. So no, I don’t care if you came though an hour ago. The whole situation could have changed and your ignorance will get the better of you but you’ll do it anyway regardless of advice from the professionals. Yet, you’ll expect the same professionals to rush to your aid and risk their lives for you when it goes wrong! Its unacceptable.

As a swift water rescue technician I’ve worked in a flood situation many times. Sometimes in a “threat to life” predicament. It’s a bloody scary place, even with the training. To the trained eye floodwater has it’s challenges. It is undiscriminating and doesn’t care who gets in. To the untrained eye you don’t stand a chance. You can’t gauge the flow rate, the risks, the hydrology and what to look for where. You don’t see the dangerous syphons and strainers that kill people. Do you have an escape route planned? You don’t have a clue what debris is coming your way because you don’t have an upstream spotter to call out. In the last few days there had been many videos of drivers ignoring signs. This week alone I watched two videos where motorists were driving into white water, 4 foot deep! It’s mind blowing and idiotic. My personal opinion is this: If you drive into a flood and need rescuing, you should be prosecuted for reckless endangerment of crews and also be fined. With flooding becoming more frequent, flood and water safety should be included in the driving test.

The facts are this:

If you drive past a road closed sign and into a flood, chances are you’ll get stuck at minimum. Then, you’ll have the embarrassment of calling 999 for help. Then, your vehicle WILL be written off and your insurance WILL NOT pay out. You chose to proceed into water. You pay the bill. That’s the best case scenario.

So let’s say you judged it wrong and your car gets swept away with you inside. The electrics will fail. This could in turn trap you in your car. Doors and windows will lock. Nothing will open and you’ll have no means of escape. You’ll sit there watching the interior of the vehicle fill up. Freezing cold dirty contaminated water. You’ll struggle for breath. You begin to hyperventilate with fear. You panic and move around frantically using up valuable air. Also by this time you’ll be shouting loudly, but by now, no one will hear you. Your partially submerged and the road is some distance away. The front end will go down first due to being the heaviest. You’re staring into the raging river and getting deeper. Debris is banging against your car and your hitting trees as you move down river. Now you’ve got a small gap of air left. You gasp. There’s no more room left in the car. No air. Too late. You’ve drowned. What a horrible way to go. And you know what, it’s totally avoidable. It didn’t have to be this way. You chose that way. No one else. You had the warnings. Details. Facts. But no, you knew best. Or so you thought.

So please, if you’re a pedestrian, cyclist or a driver. DO NOT enter a flood. It’s that simple. Flood warnings, closures and advice aren’t given out to annoy you or make you late. It’s not done to Inconvenience you. It’s done to protect you. Don’t be a sheep. Don’t follow others if they choose to ignore warnings. If you think “it’s ok, help isn’t far away” think again. During a major incident such as this week, crews are fully stretched and there may be delays getting to all calls. In a world where we are quick to blame the systems and failings of agencies and emergency crews, its about members of the public and individuals have to take ownership of themselves and be responsible for their own decisions.

Oh and one more thing; 32% of flood related deaths are from drowning in a vehicle – Just let that sink in for a moment!