Floodwater's Depth Can Be Deceiving

Numerous drivers wound up abandoning their cars after they became stuck in a flooded Palm Harbor interesection Sunday evening.

Vincent Pari, 23, of Palm Harbor was one of them.

Around 8 p.m. Sunday night, Pari was on his way to a grocery store on U.S. 19 and drove into the flooded intersection of CR 95 and West Lake Rd. He quickly realized the water was a lot deeper than he thought.

"My car stalled and it was floating and I jumped out."

Pari turned around and saw three other cars driving into the intersection.

"I tried stopping them, but they started floating."

Pari had to make a quick decision.

"I was already wet, I figured I'd help them out," he said.

Pari helped push the three cars out of the flooded intersection. 

Monday morning, he was back at the intersection to check out the flooding. A car was abandoned in the intersection, nearly covered in water.

As for his car, Pari managed to get it to dry land. But, it is not running. He thinks he might need a new starter.

The Red Cross Offers the Following Safety Tips Regarding Floodwaters

• If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way.
• If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.
• Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet. 
• Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.