How do you navigate a flooded street? Driving tips as strong storms hit the Central Coast

San Luis Obispo County is in rain mode yet again, as another winter storm settles over the region Monday night into Tuesday.

And again, flooded roads are expected.

With that in mind, what is the safest approach when maneuvering flooded roads and highways?

“Turn Around, Don’t Drown” is a program launched in 2003 by the National Weather Service that urges drivers to, like the slogan says, turn around instead of driving through a flooded road.

It is hard to determine the depth of water on a road when it’s been flooded, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency website. FEMA also warns motorists that moving water is powerful. Six inches of water can knock a person off their feet and a foot of water can easily sweep a vehicle off the road.

Here’s what you should do if you encounter a flooded road, according to the Ready.gov:

• Evacuate the area immediately when told. Do not drive around barricades; those are used to direct traffic out of flooded areas safely.
• Avoid flooded roads: “Turn around, don’t drown.”
• Try to stay off bridges with fast-moving water below.
• If you get trapped in your vehicle in fast-moving water it is advised to stay inside.
• You should get on the roof of your car if water begins to leak inside the car.

Car emergency kit

Having an emergency kit for your car is ideal to remain prepared when disaster hits.

Here is what you should include in your car emergency kit, according to Ready.gov:

• Jumper cables
• Flares or reflective triangle
• Ice scraper
• Portable cellphone charger
• Blanket
• Map
• Cat litter or sand to help with better tire traction
• Water

This story was originally published January 4, 2023 at 5:15 PM with the headline "How do you navigate a flooded street? Driving tips as strong storms hit the Central Coast."