Paducah, Kentucky – The National Weather Service is warning drivers to stay off flooded roads, citing preventable flood-related deaths each year.
According to the National Weather Service office in Paducah, many fatalities during flooding occur when people attempt to drive through water-covered roads instead of turning around.
In a safety message posted Tuesday on the agency’s official social media page, forecasters emphasized that no driver is immune to the hidden dangers beneath floodwater, even when water appears shallow.
“Most flood deaths occur while people are driving,” the agency wrote. Officials say motorists should never attempt to judge water depth from inside a vehicle and should avoid roads blocked by barricades.
The Weather Service also highlighted how moving water can quickly overpower vehicles. Safety graphics shared with the message show that as little as 12 inches of fast-moving water can carry away a car, while 6 inches can knock an adult off their feet.
Even larger vehicles are not immune. According to the NWS safety materials, 18 to 24 inches of moving water can sweep away most SUVs, vans, and trucks.
Debris and strong currents can also be hidden beneath the surface, creating additional hazards for drivers who attempt to cross flooded areas.
The agency reiterated its long-running flood safety slogan: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
Officials say choosing an alternate route can prevent tragedies during heavy rain or flooding events, particularly in low-water crossings and rural roads.
The message is especially relevant for students, commuters, and delivery drivers who may encounter water-covered streets during daily travel.
The Weather Service encourages drivers to remain alert during rainy periods and to avoid any roadway where water covers the pavement, even if the depth appears manageable.
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