Can you believe that May is almost over and that summer is just around the corner? With Memorial Day coming up this weekend, the unofficial start of summer is closer than you might think. Thankfully that means that the weather has been warming up, something us locals in Upstate New York can appreciate! But with warm weather comes lots of humidity here New York, and that means we might be experiencing some summer storms sooner than later. Summer storms are pretty cool to watch from your porch, but if you get stuck driving in one it might be scarier than anything else. But don’t panic, this week we have some pretty helpful tips for driving on flooded roads. If you feel unsafe, the best idea is to pull over and wait out the storm. If you are in need of assistance getting out of your vehicle, contact your local authorities. So check out our helpful tips below and allow us to help you make it home safe this summer!

Pay attention to barricades:

They can be easily ignored but don’t ignore them! They are there for your safety!

Do not drive through standing water on roads or in parking lots:

• It’s easy to think we can just drive through standing water if we go slow, but the truth is the average automobile can be swept off the road in 12 inches of moving water!
• Driving through water can also stall your engine which could cause damage if you try to restart the engine.
• If you come along a flooded road or lot, try to find an alternative route to your destination!

Take extra precautions if you’re forced to drive through water:

• Do your best to estimate the depth of the water (if other cars are driving through, take note of how deep the water is).
• Drive slowly and steadily through the water.
• Avoid driving in water that downed electrical or power lines have fallen in — electric current passes through water easily.
• Watch for items traveling downstream — they can trap or crush you if you’re in their path.
• If you have driven through water up to the wheel rims or higher, test your brakes on a clear patch of road at low speed. If they are wet and not stopping the vehicle as they should, dry them by pressing gently on the brake pedal with your left foot while maintaining speed with your right foot.
• Stay off the telephone unless you must report severe injuries.
• If your vehicle stalls in the deep water, you may need to restart the engine to make it to safety. Keep in mind that restarting may cause irreparable damage to the engine.
• If you can’t restart your vehicle and you become trapped in rising water, immediately abandon it for higher ground. Try to open the door or roll down the window to get out of the vehicle. If you are unable to get out safely, call 911 or get the attention of a passerby or someone standing on higher ground so that they may call for help.