Drive Safe, Stay Prepared: Choosing A Car Accident Lawyer In The Us

Drive Safe, Stay Prepared: Choosing A Car Accident Lawyer In The Us – When a heavy rain falls in a short time, the flowing water will flood the houses and basements, overturn the cars and drown people. Floods can develop quickly, over hours or minutes; and they often prey on the unconscious, killing an average of 88 people a year in the United States.

“Flooding occurs when too much water comes in,” said Bonnie Schneider, meteorologist and author of “East Weather.” And climate change increases the risk: warmer air holds more moisture, Ms. Schneider, which may cause heavy and heavy rains.

Drive Safe, Stay Prepared: Choosing A Car Accident Lawyer In The Us

While flooding can be scary, experts say you can increase your chances of survival with awareness and a plan. Here’s what to do ahead of time, and now, to safely avoid flooding.

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If there is a “flood warning,” according to the service, flooding is not guaranteed, but conditions are possible, so be prepared to change your plans.

A “flood warning” means that a flood is imminent or occurring, and if you are outdoors or in low-lying buildings you should immediately move to higher ground.

The most alarming warning is “flood condition”, which indicates that flooding is not only happening, but is a threat to human life. In 2021, New York City received its first such warning during Hurricane Ida.

Long before rain hits your radar, the first step is to create a plan for how your family will connect, pack, and evacuate in the event of a flood. How would you escape your home if necessary? Who will be responsible for the children? Where would you be if your family split up? The American Red Cross has a printable template to help guide your speech.

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You can also assess the risk of flooding at home, work and school, as well as the roads between them. A good place to start is the flood maps produced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (If you live in a flood zone, you may also want to purchase flood insurance.)

If you need to leave the house quickly, it’s important to have an easily accessible first aid kit filled with essentials. Consider adding nutritious foods to your shelves; portable water filtration systems; change of clothes; flashlights or flashlights with batteries; mobile phone charger; face money and a first aid kit. If you have pets, don’t forget food, litter and portable bowls for them. Ready.gov also recommends creating “password-protected digital copies” of important documents, such as birth certificates, ID cards, insurance policies, wills, deeds and titles. .

If that sounds extreme, it’s not, says Dr. David Markenson, medical director of the American Red Cross Educational Services. “Obviously, you don’t have to worry about humanity,” he said. And many people think: “It won’t happen to me.”

But having a plan can help you make better decisions in an emergency, says Sabine Marx, a senior professor at Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness. He said he didn’t want to “have to make that decision at a time when I might be in fear of my life.”

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If there are strong or gusty winds, keep an eye out for local weather warnings by phone, radio or television. In the event of a power outage, a battery powered radio can be used.

If you may have to leave, pack items you don’t already have in your bag (your driver’s license, credit cards, medications, and important documents) and seal them in a waterproof bag. (Plastic freezer bags work well.) Make sure your phone is charged, and if you have time, unplug small appliances so they don’t fry from power surges. Move valuables (if you have them) to a higher floor.

If you live in a low-lying home, be extra careful about rain control, says Julie Munger, founder of Sierra Rescue International, an organization that has trained emergency personnel for 35 years. If you think you might be in danger, he recommends going to a higher floor or evacuating somewhere else. (To find an emergency shelter, enter SHELTER and your zip code 43362.) FEMA warns against climbing into a closed toilet, as you could be trapped by rising water. If necessary, climb to the roof.

If you find yourself in a worst-case scenario, where water is flooding your home, you need to act quickly, Ms. Munger said. “Don’t wait, don’t take anything, just get out,” because if you can’t get out, he said, your only option is to “wait until the water fills the entire house.”

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According to Dr. Markenson, it is important to follow the update closely, because the situation can change quickly. If you are asked to leave, do so. Before you leave if there is weather, check your state’s department of transportation website for road closures, and take an alternate route if you encounter flooded roads.

The main problem of the flood, Dr. Markenson doesn’t always act when asked to. But by trying to get out, he warns, you will put yourself and the rescuers at risk.

The best thing to do is avoid flooding if you can, or as the National Weather Service calls it, “Turn, don’t walk.” It only takes six inches of rushing water to overwhelm you, so unless you’re told to leave, the safest option is to stay where you are. (The flood passes quickly.)

The danger of getting into the water is ingress, but you can also be exposed to various harmful substances that flow into the water itself, such as human, animal and industrial waste; physical objects such as cars, trees and other waste; Wild animals such as rats and snakes; and the power cord is unplugged.

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Sometimes flooding happens while you are out and about and you can find yourself in a dangerous situation right away. Almost half of the flood deaths are related to vehicles, so the obstacles should not be ignored. “Drive on wet roads, patrol,” said Mrs. Munger. “There really is no better advice.”

Not only is it difficult to judge the depth of the water and the condition of the road, but only 12 inches of water can flood your car and 18 inches can drive your SUV or truck. “Everyone tends to underestimate the power of water,” said Ms. Munger. “Buildings are too small to destroy.”

That said, if your car is flooded, roll down the windows first, says Lynn Burttschell, an emergency medical worker, rescue swimmer and founder of Wimberley Rescue Training. If they don’t listen, he recommends breaking the bottle with an escape tool (like the one in this Wirecutter guide, which you can keep in your glove box) or using a metal pole for your head, like a blowtorch. It is important to open the windows, said Mr. Burttschell, because “when the water rises, this car fills up and becomes more of a rock than a bobber floating on the bottom.”

Then unbuckle your seat belt and fasten it while you climb onto the roof and call 911, advised Mr. Burtschell. Do your best to stay in the car until help arrives. Stand on the roof for stability and don’t cling to the car, or it will roll over.

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In his 32 years of work, Mr. Burttschell found that people who stayed in their cars survived at a higher rate than those who did, because it was easier for emergency services to find a car than a person. “I really don’t recommend getting out of the car at all,” he said. To make yourself more visible, you can also turn on your hazard lights, activate your car alarm with your key and, if possible, honk your horn.

If you’re in a flood while you’re walking, run straight into the water and “get to the highest point,” Ms. Munger said, or that means going to the nearest building and going up the stairs. wood or forklift. The bigger and heavier the object, the better, he said, because it doesn’t move as much.

If you’re rolling, don’t try to get up, because your feet might get caught in a ditch, fence, or something else. Instead, Ms. Munger recommends swimming directly upstream, as you would a tidal wave, until you reach safety. Be aware that it is very difficult, even for strong swimmers, as you will be battling ditches, debris and mud. “People should know that most people who lose a leg in a flood don’t make it out,” he said.

When it comes to camping or hiking, Ms. Munger recommends researching the area’s weather and forecasts before you head out. If it rains where you are going, suggest camping by a river.

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