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Flooding Safety Tips
Perhaps the biggest cause of flood-related deaths and injuries is the lack of respect for the severity and danger associated with floods and flash floods. El Paso Fire Department officials offer the following tips that can help protect El Paso residents during flooding caused by the recent and future heavy rains expected during the coming monsoon season:
- Many people are killed while trying to drive or walk on roads and bridges covered by water. Though the water may look only inches deep, the pool could be far deeper and have very strong currents. It only takes two feet of water to carry away many cars and only six inches of swiftly moving (6 mph) water can sweep a person off their feet.
- Trucks, two wheel- as well as four-wheel-drive and sports utility vehicles are also susceptible to the dangers of pooled water. Such vehicles often give motorists a false sense of security, believing the vehicles are safe under all hazardous conditions. This is simply not true. For instance, large tires add to the vehicle’s buoyancy and can cause it to lose traction sooner. Simply put, do not allow overconfidence in your vehicle to cost you your life.
- Consequently, if you are approaching a flooded roadway, turn around and take an alternate route. Though vehicles in front of you may have passed through the high water, you may not be as lucky.
- If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to move stalled vehicles.
- Never let children play near storm drains when the water is rising or is high. Every year, deaths or injuries occur as a result of people being swept away. Sadly, the most frequent victims are children.
- If you live in a low-lying area, pay close attention to water levels during heavy rain events. Water levels rise rapidly during flash floods often surprising victims. Be prepared to move quickly to higher ground if water levels begin rising. Sandbags are available at all city fire stations and are free to the public. The personnel at the Storm Water Utilities are in the process of delivering double the normal order of sandbags to all fire stations in the city with Westside and northeast fire stations as priorities.
Contact: Lt. Mario E. Hernandez / 472-4212
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