Log in Subscribe

Turn around Don't drown

Posted 8/6/20

We are truly blessed to live in a part of the country with extraordinary natural beauty. Our rolling farm hills, secluded forests, freshwater lakes and meandering creeks and rivers attract visitors …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Turn around Don't drown

Posted

We are truly blessed to live in a part of the country with extraordinary natural beauty. Our rolling farm hills, secluded forests, freshwater lakes and meandering creeks and rivers attract visitors from all over the world. But mother nature must be respected as much as admired.

This week saw flash floods and high winds as a result of Tropical Storm Isaias. Dangerous weather conditions knocked over trees and powerlines, turning a daily commute home into a treacherous journey. Water washed over roadways in some parts of Sullivan County. We noticed a lot of motorists attempting to drive through these pools of water.

We understand people need to get where they're going, but the 10 or 20 minutes you save by driving through a flooded road is not worth the potential damage to your vehicle or even the loss of your life. Turn around, don't drown and find another route.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters.

As little as six inches of fast moving water can knock a grown adult off their feet. It takes only 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and two feet of rushing water can carry away most trucks and SUVs.

It may look like the water on the road isn't that deep, but it's far too easy to underestimate its depth or strength. This is especially true at night when your vision is limited. Furthermore, the road can be washed out underneath the flood waters.

Any death is a tragedy, but even more so when it can be easily prevented.

There were several instances of trees falling onto people's homes or people who required rescuing from elevated and fast moving rivers. Once again we have to be grateful for the extraordinary dedication and professionalism of our local fire departments, EMS crews and law enforcement agencies. These men and women always stand ready to answer the call, even if it means putting themselves in harm's way.

We can truly thank them by not putting ourselves in a dangerous situation where they'd have to come rescue us. Accidents do happen, of course. And when they do it's reassuring to know that we're in such good hands.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here