Flash Flood Safety Tips

Just a few days into Hurricane Season, Tropical Storm Andrea is expected to impact much of the Atlantic coast and bring heavy rains to our area over the next 24 hours. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for Montgomery County until Friday evening and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue officials are monitoring the weather and urging County residents to be alert to changing weather conditions and prepared for possible flash flooding as the storm system moves through the area.

When it rains heavily, there may be flash floods, flood warnings and flood watches issued. Flash floods more often occur in mountain streams, hilly areas or low-lying areas. But they do happen in urban and suburban areas like Montgomery County, as well. Flash floods can occur even though it's not raining where you are. It may be raining hard farther upstream and raining so hard that the water can not be absorbed into the ground.

Safety Tips:

 

If a flash flood warning is issued, act immediately. Don't wait for high water to dictate your course of action.

 

Know your location when you are driving. If you needed rescue, would you be able to direct emergency crews to your location?  Distracted driving can lead to a situation where you are stranded and unable to direct emergency crews to you.  Be alert!

 

Never drive through a flooded road or bridge. Back up and try a different route. In many cases, it takes far less than a foot of water to incapacitate a vehicle.  It may stall, leaving you stranded, and depending on the level of water, you may not be able to open a vehicle door.  Do not underestimate the power of moving water.

 

Stay on high ground. If your car is trapped, get out if you can safety do so. Move to higher ground. If you're driving through a hilly area or place that is subject to flooding along a stream and hear a flash flood warning, go to high ground – never try to outrun a flash flood.

 

Watch for flooding at bridges and dips in the road. Never drive where water is over bridges or roads. Turn around. The bridges or the road could suddenly be washed out.  If you're driving at night be especially careful. Often visibility is limited due to wind and rain. If you should drive into water, don't try to drive out of it. Get out of the car and safely return to higher ground.

 

Often what you can't see below the surface of the water is far more dangerous than the high levels of that water. Remember that rocks, tree limbs and other debris can be caught in moving water and can be dangerous if you are forced to walk, wade or swim through flood waters.

 

If you have to walk or wade through flood water, use a stick to poke the ground in front of you with each step. It can help you determine water levels, the bottom surface and the safest possible way to get to higher ground.

Remember that flash floods can come without warning, and sometimes without weather. Be alert and heed all warnings and recommendations from officials.

From FEMA's website, some further information about driving through flooded roadways:

•  Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.

•  A foot of water will float many vehicles.

•  Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV's) and pick-ups

 

Roads in Montgomery County subject to periodic flooding:

 

Down-County areas:

MD 29 (Columbia Pike) at Paint Branch - N. of White Oak

MD 185 (Conn. Ave) at Rock Creek - S. of Kensington

MD 190 (River Road) at Cabin John Creek - Potomac

MD 193 (Univ. Blvd) at Sligo Creek - Wheaton

MD 586 (Viers Mill Rd) at Rock Creek - S. of Twinbrook Pkwy.

Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park - Kensington-Chevy Chase

Sligo Creek Pkwy - Silver Spring-Takoma Park

 

Up-County areas

MD 97 (Georgia Ave) at Reddy Branch - N. of Brookeville

MD 124 (Woodfield Rd) at Goshen Branch and at Gr. Seneca Creek - N. of Brink Rd.

MD 117 (Clopper Rd) at Gr. Seneca Creek - W. of Gaithersburg

MD 117 (Clopper Rd) at Little Seneca Creek  - E. of Boyds

MD 355 (Frederick Rd) at Little Seneca Creek - W. of Brink

MD 121 (Clarksburg Rd) near Little Seneca Lake - N. of Boyds

MD 118 (Germantown Rd) at Great Seneca Creek - S. of Germantown

River Rd and Berryville Rd at Seneca Creek

Blunt Road at Great Seneca Creek - S. of Brink Rd.

Davis Mill Rd at Great Seneca Creek - N. of Gaithersburg

Brighton Dam Rd at Hawlings River - NE of Brookeville

Goldmine Rd at Hawlings River - E of Olney

Zion Rd at Hawlings River - E. of Laytonsville

Hoyles Mill Rd at ford of Little Seneca Creek - Germantown, west of the soccer complex

Loghouse Rd at Magruder Branch - S. of Damascus

Elton Farm Rd at Haights Branch - N. of Sunshine

Howard Chapel Rd at Haights Branch - N. of Sunshine

White’s Ferry Road and River Road - White’s Ferry