Road Flooding - Tips for Driving

The final rainbands of Debby will pass through our area today sporadically.  We are expecting fewer heavy showers off and on throughout the morning and then we should see a drier afternoon.   However, our local area has seen a substantial amount of flooding.  

Manatee County has an emergency Road Closure Map here: https://extreme-weather-dashboard-manateegis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/emergency-road-closures

Currently, there are many roads that are closed in one or both directions due to standing water in the roadway.  It's best to avoid driving through standing water, especially if it's more than 4 inches deep or moving. However, if you must drive through water, here are some tips:

• Drive slowly: A slow, steady speed of around 3–4 mph can help prevent a bow wave from washing over your engine.
• Drive in low gear: Keeping your engine revs high can help prevent your exhaust pipe from flooding.
• Drive down the center: Water tends to be shallower in the middle of the road and flow toward the edges.
• Use your headlights: Even if you have daytime running lights, turn on your headlights to increase your visibility to other drivers.
• Avoid power lines: Water conducts electricity, so you should never drive through water that could be touching electrical lines.
• Test your brakes: After driving through water, you should test your brakes as soon as possible. You can also try tapping the brake pedal a few times to help dry them out.
• Check your air filter: If your air filter is wet or damp, you should replace it. You may also need to replace your engine oil.

Obviously these road closures may affect our ability to get to your house for service.  If your yard or road is flooded, please let us know by calling (941) 776-5111.