Did you know that even just six inches of rapidly flowing waters can take down an adult, 12 inches to topple a small car, and 24 inches to seize a large vehicle?

Floods are a powerful force of nature. They are the leading weather-related devastation, killing more than 100 people every year. A majority of those deaths occur in vehicles driven on a flooded road. This is why the government is urging citizens to avoid floodwaters, and if possible, stay home instead to prevent harm.

If there’s one takeaway that you should get from this article, it should be this: Never drive, ride, or walk through flooded areas. Whether you’re home or on the road, prioritise your safety. Assess the situation, and weigh your options before making any move. Sometimes, it’s those split-second decisions that spell the difference between safety and accidents.

Below are more tips on road safety during flooding:

• When you see a road closure signage, find another route. Don’t brave the flooded roads! Doing so will just endanger your life.
• Don’t drive if you are unsure of the depth of the water. If the water level is more than six inches, there’s a high probability that traversing the road will be difficult. If it’s flooded, turn around!
• Don’t attempt to drive on flooded roads without road closed signage. There’s no telling if the road is damaged. It is best to just avoid it.
• Do not be complacent just because the roads are restored and reconstructed. Drive safely and steadily no matter what the conditions are.
• Stay alert and look out for landslides.

Natural disasters can bring a string of dangers. We can never stress this enough: Don’t put your safety on the line. If it’s flooded, don’t risk it!

Stay dry, Queensland! Explore our blog for more safety tips.