Safety Tips for Motorists in Emergencies
Knowing how to drive in a disaster is just as important as being prepared for a disaster. You need to know when you should stay with your car, or when you should leave your car. Below are some safety rules for Driving in a Disaster. Whatever the situation, the most important rule to remember is: Don't Panic.
Hurricane - Evacuate Early
Flooding begins well before a hurricane nears land. Plan to evacuate early, and keep a full tank of gas during hurricane season (June 1 - November 30). Know the best evacuation route for you - before an evacuation order is given. Pre-plan where you will evacuate to, and what route you will take to get there.
Never attempt to drive during a hurricane. Wait until the all clear is given after the storm. Flash flooding can occur after a hurricane has passed. Avoid driving on coastal and low-lying roads. Storm surge and hurricane caused flooding are erratic and may occur with little or no warning.
Flood - Get Out of the Car
Never attempt to drive through water on a road. Water can be deeper than it appears, and water levels rise quickly. A car can be buoyed by floodwaters and then swept downstream during a flood. Floodwaters can erode roadways, and a missing section of road, or a bridge, will not be visible with water running over the area.
Wade through floodwaters only if the water is not flowing rapidly, and only in water no higher than your knees. If your car stalls in floodwaters, get out quickly and move to higher ground. Floodwaters may still be rising, and your car could be swept away.
Tornado - Get Out of the Car
Your car is a dangerous place to be during a tornado. When a warning is issued, do not try to leave the area by car. If you are in your car, leave it and find shelter in a building. If a tornado approaches and there are no safe structures nearby, lie flat in a ditch or other ground depression with your arms over your head.
Summer Heat - Stay Out of a Parked Car
During hot weather, build-up of heat can occur quickly in a closed or nearly closed car. Children and pets can die from heat stroke in a matter of minutes when left in a closed car. Never leave anyone in a parked car during periods of high summer heat.
Every car should be equipped with an emergency supply kit, which is easily stored in your trunk. Your kit may vary depending on your location, the climate of the area, and your personal requirements. Here are a few suggestions to help you with your emergency kit:
- blanket / sleeping bag
- booster cables / tools
- bottled water
- canned or dried fruits / nuts / grain bars
- can opener - manual
- first aid kit
- flashlight
- necessary medication
- matches / candles
- rain gear / extra clothing
- shovel
- traction mats / chains
Have a Place to Go
- Develop a Family Hurricane Preparedness Plan before an actual storm threatens your area. If your family plan includes evacuation to a safer location, it is important to consider the following:
- If ordered to evacuate, do not wait or delay your departure. If possible, leave before local officials issue an evacuation order for your area. Even a small delay in starting your evacuation will result in significantly longer travel times as traffic congestion worsens.
- Select an evacuation destination that is nearest to your home, preferably in the same county, or at least minimize the distance over which you must travel in order to reach your intended shelter location. In choosing your destination, keep in mind that the hotels and other sheltering options in most inland metropolitan areas are likely to be filled very quickly in a large, multi-county hurricane evacuation event.
- If you decide to evacuate to another county or region, be prepared to wait in traffic. The large number of people in this state who must evacuate during a hurricane will probably cause massive delays and major congestion along most designated evacuation routes; the larger the storm, the greater the probability of traffic jams and extended travel times.
- If possible, make arrangements to stay with a friend or relative who resides closest to your home and who will not have to evacuate. Discuss with your intended host the details of your family evacuation plan well before the beginning of the hurricane season.
- If a hotel or motel is your final intended destination during an evacuation, make reservations before you leave. Most hotels and motels will fill quickly once evacuations begin. The longer you wait to make reservations, even if an official evacuation order has not been issued for your area or county, the less likely you are to find hotel / motel room vacancies, especially along interstate highways and in major metropolitan areas.
- If you are unable to stay with friends or family and no hotel / motel rooms are available, then as a last resort, go to a shelter. Remember, shelters are not designed for comfort and do not usually accept pets. Bring your disaster supply kit with you to the shelter.
- Make sure that you fill your car with gas before you leave.