X

Flash Floods and Cars – Driving Safely in Poor Conditions

Flash flood season has started early this year. Even California is seeing a rash of heavy rain and even mud slides. This is both horrifying and quite bizarre since we all know that it never rains in California. There was even a song written about it in 1972 by Albert Hammond. But wait … now that I am reading the lyrics, I realize that there’s much more to those lyrics than I remembered …

“Seems it never rains in southern California
Seems I often heard this kind of talk before
It never rains in California
But girls don’t they warn ya
It pours, man it pours”

So, apparently it does rain in California. Much like Texas, it doesn’t rain for a long time, and then it’s like a monsoon. The news has already been reporting flash floods and cars being washed away with people trapped inside, which is your worst nightmare. My daughter’s new car came with manual windows and locks. Her father said he specifically purchased it this way in the event that, if she drove into deep water, her electrical system wouldn’t be compromised and she could roll down her crank windows and unlock her doors to escape. And, while this sounds well thought out on his part, the car was purchased that way because he’s basically cheap. You realize I’m just kidding, right? (Or am I???)

The misconception is that cars won’t float because they are too heavy. But a car can actually float in less than a foot of water. And large trucks and SUV’s float even faster because their large inflated tires make them even more buoyant. When water is rising fast, it can overtake your car in an instant. So, how do you survive if you get trapped in a flash flood? First of all, if the water is rising quickly, roll the window down so you can escape. Get onto the roof, the highest part of the vehicle. Stay low and hang on. Since the car can flip in only 6 feet of water, you wouldn’t stand a chance if you stayed inside the car.

If this sounds like the scariest situation you could ever find yourself in, the best advice is to just stay out of flooded areas altogether. Even if the water looks calm, the road beneath could be washed out and misleading. If rescuers are dispatched and have to risk their lives to save yours, you could very well be billed for being rescued. Some states call it the “Stupid Motorist Law.”

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Flash Floods and Cars – Comedy Defensive Driving

Daun Thompson: Daun Thompson has spent years acting in both film and theatre which has been paramount in launching her onto the comedy stage (incidentally, without a helmet, resulting in a nasty concussion). Being a funny girl is a full time job. A job that she hopes that one day will come with dental benefits and a 401K. Unlike her work, she is biodegradable, yet flame retardant. And gentle to the touch. Her goal in life??? For strangers to approach her and ask "Didn't you used to be somebody?" In the late 1980's she cut her teeth at the Velveeta Room on 6th Street in Austin, Texas ... the original room with the stripper pole. From there, she moved to northern California and worked with many comedy icons, like Mitch Hedberg, Marc Maron, Colin Quinn, Vic Dunlop, Huck Flyn, Michael Mancini, Doug Ferrari, Shang and Brian Posehn. Daun has been a licensed driver safety instructor and trainer with Comedy Defensive Driving for over 9 years. Her knowledge of driving safety laws keeps her readers informed and engaged with her blog adventures. She still continues to do stand-up comedy, sometimes in a reclining position...just to be different.