Never Drive Through A Flooded Road When Heavy Rain Hits. Your Vehicle Can Be A Trap With Serious Consequences.

Midwest, South: Dangerous Flood Conditions Begin

2025's first three months have proved why the worst decision you can make during a heavy rain threat is to drive your vehicle through floodwaters of unknown depth, making it a potential trap for serious injury or death.

(MORE: Pay Attention To 'High Risk' Flood Forecasts)

Big Picture: Recent Years Show the Danger

• 75% of flood deaths in 2025: Driving is listed as the cause for 15 of 20 deaths blamed on flooding in the United States so far this year through the end of March, according to statistics compiled by the National Weather Service in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
• This year is not an anomaly: Driving contributed to 36% of 181 flooding deaths in 2024 and 54% of 78 flooding deaths in 2023. Those percentages aren't as high as this year has been so far, but it illustrates how dangerous traveling through floodwaters can be.
• Flooding is the biggest storm-related killer: An average of 103 people were killed annually by flooding (not just in driving situations) in the 10 years spanning 2014 to 2023, according to NOAA. That's more than the average for tornadoes and lightning and combined.

Deeper Dive: What Makes Driving In A Flood So Dangerous

• It's a difficult situation to judge: It may be tough to tell how deep the water is when you approach a flooded section of roadway, especially at night, so never try to proceed and instead "Turn around. Don't drown," as the National Weather Service says. Entering a flooded area can allow water to enter your vehicle in a manner of minutes, even seconds.
• 1 foot of water can float a car or small SUV: Once your vehicle floats, you've lost control. You're like a boat without a motor or paddles. In some cases, rushing water can then push your vehicle far away from where you entered the flooded area.
• The roadway could be compromised: What you also cannot judge is that floodwater may have washed away a section of the road that's underwater. Sometimes, a culvert or bridge is overwhelmed by water or debris carried by the water, leaving an entire section of road wiped away, as the photo below shows.

Be Aware: Know The Flood Risk When Heavy Rain Hits

• Stay informed: If a flood watch is in effect for your area, that means flooding of some magnitude is possible. Flood warnings are hoisted when flooding is ongoing or imminent and travel should be avoided if possible.
• Emergency warnings are dire: A flash flood emergency is a rare type of flood warning issued by the National Weather Service that should not only grab your attention, but also serve as a signal that you're likely in imminent danger. They are used to highlight occasions when there is a major threat to life or potential for catastrophic damage.
• Receive alerts: You can find out if these alerts are posted in your area on The Weather Channel app and on weather.com by entering your location. Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio since that will give you two ways to receive potentially life-saving watches and warnings, not just for flooding, but all types of severe weather.

Chris Dolce has been a senior digital meteorologist with weather.com for nearly 15 years after beginning his career with The Weather Channel in the early 2000s.