Driving Near Flooded Rivers, Roads: Do's And Don'ts

CHARLOTTE, NC — Tropical Storm Florence continues to pummel North Carolina on Friday, bringing life-threatening floods that are expected to last through early next week. As the storm moves inland, authorities are reminding motorists and pedestrians that even shallow waters can be deadly.

As a general rule, remember "turn around, don't drown." Driving or walking into standing or flooded water can put you – and first responders – in danger.

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation:

• 6 inches of fast-moving water can sweep an adult off their feet
• 12 inches of flowing water can carry away small vehicles
• 18 inches of flowing water can carry away most vehicles of any size

State authorities provided the following tips for maneuvering flooded areas safely:

When driving...

• Avoid steep slopes
• Never try to cross streams, creeks, rivers, or flooded roads, especially after dark
• Keep an eye out for washed-out roads and bridges, as well as falling and floating debris
• If traffic signals are flashing or aren't working, approach intersections with caution

When walking...

• Move to higher ground
• Do not walk through moving water
• Do not ignore traffic barricades.
• Know that short intense, bursts of rainfall are most likely to cause landslides

Whether you're walking or driving, stay tuned to NOAA weather radio or local media for the latest warnings and updates.

Keep up with all breaking news reports on Hurricane Florence by subscribing to Patch's alerts and daily newsletters.

Photo: Men pack their belongings after evacuating their house after the Neuse River went over its banks and flooded their street during Hurricane Florence September 13, 2018 in New Bern, North Carolina. Some parts of New Bern could be flooded with a possible 9-foot storm surge as the Category 2 hurricane approaches the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)