Why do people die in floods? Common errors and how to survive.

2016-01-01T09:28:40-05:00

Every year we hear about deaths due to flood waters. Often these deaths were needless and occurred because of a lack of respect for nature. 60% of these deaths are the direct result of trying to drive or walk through moving flood waters.

Nature is a powerful force that is often underestimated or not understood. It is possible to use nature to our advantage, but most people lack the ability to do this because of a lack of familiarity with it and training.

More than 20 of the recorded deaths so far in Missouri are the result of people driving their cars into flood waters. These deaths could have been avoided.

It doesn't take much water to result in hydroplaning and loosing control of the car and being swept into a waterway.

Water moving at a moderate pace of 4 mph (thats brisk walking speed) will have a force of about 66 pounds per square foot moving anything it comes into contact that cannot exert the same or a greater force will be moved into the waterway.

In areas where the waterway is narrowed by nature such as a canyon, the amount of water present, or by man through channeling water speed is increased. Double the water speed and the force of water on anything it encounters quadruples. That is enough force to push a vehicle off the road.

Avoid entering the flood water if possible, as it can be contaminated with sewage or harmful chemicals.

Surviving can depend on the immediate actions you take. If you do find yourself caught in a flood, follow these survival tips:

1. Stay out of flood waters.

2. If in a flash flood, do not attempt to drive through a flooded road. One foot of flood water can make you lose control of your car. Exit your vehicle and move to higher ground.

3. If you are unable to avoid the oncoming water ad water is rushing so quickly that your car becomes submerged, release your seat belt and exit the vehicle by rolling down the nearest window.

4. If you are unable to open the window, wait until the car fills with water and you will be able to open a door. Do not panic.

5. If stranded on top of a building or in a tree, do not leave your location. Stay where you are until rescue workers can pull you to safety.

6. If swept away by moving water, point your feet downstream and maneuver your body over obstacles.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jan 1 at 2016 9:37 AM

2016-01-01T09:37:45-05:00

Here in Arizona we have the "Dumb Motorist" law. Meaning if you get caught in a flood because you tried to drive through it and have to be rescued, the state charges you!

Response by CAPT Tom Bersson made Jan 1 at 2016 9:38 AM

2016-01-01T09:38:11-05:00

this is good advice. Water is a powerful force.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jan 1 at 2016 9:47 AM

2016-01-01T09:47:59-05:00

Very relevant and important tips, CPT Private RallyPoint Member. Thank you.
I believe that one of the key tips-before, during and after a flood happens- is to NOT panic.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jan 1 at 2016 9:54 AM

2016-01-01T09:54:08-05:00

I remember when living in San Antonio, every time we had a heavy rain, people would die for this exact reason (driving through water). Despite warnings being heavily played on the airwaves, it kept happening. So sad to see.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2016 2:18 PM

2016-01-01T14:18:03-05:00

The sickest I have ever been was after volunteering to sandbag during flooding in Montevideo, Minnesota back in '96. You could smell the manure and other farm runoff in the water, and God knows what else. The small cuts I got just manhandling debris and flotsam got infected and put me in the hospital for a week.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jan 1 at 2016 3:26 PM

2016-01-01T15:26:31-05:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I've participated in many flood operations in north Jersey, the southern end of my home town flooded almost annually. The town was at the confluence of three rivers. What I have noticed is that people waited too long to get out thereby risking their own lives as well as responders. People try to turn off electricity while standing in water, people forget to turn off the gas, the water rises and gas bubbles up thru the water until it finds a spark and the house blows. People drive thru water and it takes only a small amount to sweep a car away. I have seen 2 1/2 ton trucks strike submerged objects and become disabled.

I myself was almost seriously injured operating a boat in a flood, I got my boat forced against an overhanging tree and my head caught against the tree. Don't operate under-powered boats in floods t2no matter what your intentions .

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2016 7:55 PM

2016-01-01T19:55:58-05:00

Having worked three 500-year floods(!) during my Coast Guard career, plus two major floods in Kansas City, MO, as a police officer there, I think it very necessary to point out a number of reasons people died in floods, some I witnessed personally: those reasons are ignorance, overt acts of stupidity, selfishness, and blatant stubbornness. More than once these acts caused the deaths of heroic rescue personnel.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 2 at 2016 7:35 PM

2016-01-02T19:35:00-05:00

They underestimate the power of water, they go through mental and physical shock, they lose their ability to continue the fight.