Navigating Flooded Roads caused by Storms: A Driver’s Guide to Safety

As extreme weather events appear to become much more frequent, UK drivers must prepare themselves for the serious challenges of navigating flooded roads and driving in storms.

Based on our years of experience dealing with cars that have not been able to make it through a flooded road, our guide is written to offer some essential tips to keep you safer on the road and potentially protect your vehicle from flood damage.

Before You Head out and Drive

Check the Weather Forecasts and Road Conditions

Before embarking on any journey during inclement weather, it’s crucial to check ahead. If you’re planning on driving locally then look up local weather forecasts and road condition reports to plan your route accordingly.

If you’re planning on driving further afield then look at the forecasts in the areas you are heading through not just at your destination.

Personally, if we’re driving in extreme weather we always ensure we have Wellington boots in the cabin with us, a set of spare dry clothes in a sturdy plastic bag, a torch and charged phone at the very least.

If really severe weather or flooding is expected, we recommend you consider postponing your trip until the worst of the storm or flooding passes. We think it’s better to be at home looking out than sat in floodwaters in a stranded car wishing you were back at home!

Prepare Your Vehicle

It’s a good idea to ensure your vehicle is in good condition before heading out:

• Check tire tread and pressure
• Test your brakes
• Ensure wiper blades are working properly and aren’t worn
• Make sure you have a full tank of fuel or if electric, a full charge

Driving in Heavy Rain and Storms

Reduce Speed and Increase Following Distance

If you end up driving through a massive storm with really heavy rain, it’s a good idea to substantially reduce your speed (if safe to do so) to minimise the risk of aquaplaning and losing contact with the road surface.

Maintain a much greater following distance from the vehicle ahead, as wet roads require far longer stopping distances.

Also switch off Spotify or that favourite CD of yours and tune your car’s radio into a local radio station to keep abreast of any changes in the weather.

Use Your Lights Properly

Turning on your headlights during bad weather to improve your visibility to other drivers is a good idea. Use dipped headlights so other drivers can see you more easily, but unless it’s really is foggy then do not use your rear fog lights as they can mask your brake lights and dazzle drivers behind you

Avoid Sudden Changes of Direction

If driving on wet roads it’s a sensible idea to make smooth, gradual movements when steering, accelerating or braking. Sudden driving manoeuvres  can cause you to lose control on wet roads and during a stomr the chances of this can be increase so do bear that in mind.

What to do if Encountering a Flooded Road

Assess the Situation

If you encounter a flooded road, please do not just carry on in the hope you might get through it. It is very difficult to just the height of the flood from inside your car and we believe impossible at night in the dark so we would say the safest option is to stop, turn round or use your sat nav or Google Maps to find an alternative route. We suggest looking at roads that sit near water courses like streams or rivers and look to move away from these as they can flood areas much more quickly.

If you don’t know the road you’re on and no-one is around to provide any local knowledge then it may be best to do a U turn and head in the opposite direction (as long as it is not badly flooding behind you).

You can look at any kerbs or verges to assess the height of the flood water or if you can find a large branch to help measure the flood water that may help but it’s not guaranteed.

Also you should take note if the floodwater is quickly rising, this could catch you out and your car could end up losing contact with the ground and begin to float and take on water into the cabin.

In our experience the best option is to avoid driving through floodwater, however, if you must, we strongly advise you carefully assess the water depth carefully before proceeding. We would generally advise you to avoid driving through water that is moving or higher than 10cm (4 inches) deep.

Driving Through Standing Water

If you determine it’s safe for you to proceed:

• Allow any oncoming traffic to pass first, a car coming at you can throw water up all over your car, reducing your visibility, damaging trim components on your car or bringing you to a halt if water is allowed to ingress.
• Drive slowly and consistently at about 3-4 mph, entering water at high speed is definitely NOT a good idea, it’s about maintaining a steady low speed
• Use a low gear and keep engine revs high to prevent water from entering the exhaust pipe
• Avoid sudden braking to minimise disturbing the floodwater and having it find its way into your car’s engine area

After Crossing Flooded Areas

Once you’ve safely crossed a flooded area you should test your brakes as soon as possible and when it is safe to do so (i.e when nobody is directly behind you!) as floodwater can reduce the effect of your braking system. You should also check for any damage to your car’s bodywork as sometimes the weight of the water can force trim apart, lose number plates or for bumpers to come away.

If you notice any issues with your vehicle, we recommend you have it checked by a professional mechanic.

What to Do if Your Car Gets Flooded

Despite your best efforts, your car may still get caught in rising floodwaters and give up the ghost. Here’s what to do:

• Don’t try to restart the engine as this can cause even greater and perhaps catastrophic damage if water has entered it internally
• It is very likely you will have to leave your vehicle and walk in very cold water, we recommend moving to higher ground alongside the road or if not retrace your steps back through the flood and then call the emergency services
• If you have others to help you and its safe to do so, move yourself and your car to higher ground to prevent further water damage
• If you know what you are doing then disconnect the car battery to prevent electrical damage

Assessing and Mitigating Damage

Once your vehicle has been moved out of the flood water you can look to action some of the following:

• Open doors and windows to allow flood water to escape and for your car to dry out
• Remove any debris that may have entered the vehicle
• Check the oil by removing the dipstick however if it appears milky then water has likely got into your engine

Professional Inspection and Repair

For insurance purposes you will want to have your vehicle inspected by a professional mechanic as soon as possible. They can assess the extent of the damage and determine if repairs are possible or if the car is a total loss.

If it is deemed repairable then talk to us today about getting your car repaired, we are happy to provide a competitive quote to your insurance company.

Preventive Measures if your car is in a Flood-Prone Area

If you happen to live in an area that’s prone to flooding, consider these preventive measures:

• Don’t leave it too late to move your car to higher ground when a storm or flooding is forecast
• Consider floodproofing your garage to protect your vehicle
• Invest in temporary flood barriers for additional protection
• Ensure your vehicle’s insurance policy includes fully comprehensive coverage that protects you financially against any flood damage

Conclusion

Driving in severe weather conditions and navigating flooded roads requires much more extra caution and preparation.

By following these guidelines above, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with driving in storms and floods. Remember, when in doubt it’s always safer to avoid flooded areas altogether.

Your safety should always be the top priority. Stay informed, stay prepared and stay safe on the roads during severe weather events.