STOP Driving Through Floodwaters!
We pride ourselves on taking care of each other in Acadiana. One of the best ways we can do that is to NOT drive through floodwaters.
We all remember, either from experience or a friend or family member's experience, the flood damage in August 2016. Even with barricades, media warnings, and threat of being ticketed by police, there were still people who drove through the waters.
Driving through floodwaters can cause:
Damage to your own engine that can't be fixed
Another vehicle to be swept off the roadway (especially if you're in a truck or SUV) and cause a crash or someone to be stranded. A typical car can float in only ONE FOOT of water and just TWO FEET can cause cars to be washed away.
Most people in Acadiana drive trucks. You might be safe because you're up higher, but what about people in cars? Your speeding through floodwaters could damage their cars or worse, endanger their lives.
Flood wake can quickly enter homes and businesses. Driving through flooded streets and roads only makes it worse for people who are already dealing with water in their homes or that's about to be in their homes.
The best thing to do when it comes to floodwater is to find an alternate route instead of driving through it. If you can't, then stay where you are until things improve. If you're worried about work, call your boss and tell them you're stranded. Unless you're bringing someone to the hospital, you can take the time to find an alternate route or wait.
We pride ourselves on taking care of each other in Acadiana. One of the best ways we can do that is to NOT drive through floodwaters.