You may have noticed over the past couple of months that it’s been raining. A lot. And that rain has caused flooding problems across Wisconsin, most notably in the Madison area, but to a lesser extent all across the state. With more possible flooding tonight, it’s a good time to talk about what a flood can do to a vehicle, and why it’s a good idea to avoid floodwaters at all costs.
The popular mantra from law enforcement and the National Weather Service is “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” And that’s catchy, but people perhaps don’t take it seriously enough for that very reason. But it doesn’t take much water to turn your car into a raft. In fact, only 6 inches of moving water can move a car. In water a foot deep, most cars will float, at least briefly. In two feet of water, even larger vehicles like trucks and busses can be carried away.
But, let’s say you drive through the flood and make it through unscathed, you could still be in for a nasty surprise because water and your vehicle mix like oil and water (literally).
Water on your brakes will keep them from working properly until they dry out. You may have noticed this even if your car sits in the rain for a while, the brakes will squeal until they dry out. Water in the engine is even worse. If water gets into the engine compartment and mixes with your engine oil, it can have catastrophic results including complete engine failure. Water can also get into your air intake and electrical systems, causing massive damage, with massive dollar signs on the repair bill.
And of course, there’s the threat of water getting into the passenger cabin, which is unpleasant and can cause rust and even health risks if not quickly dried out.
So remember, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” doesn’t just mean you. It means your vehicle too because those floodwaters can kill it as surely as any deer, oncoming car, or meteor strike. Stay safe out there.