# AI advises driving through flash flood water if it looks shallow

- **ID:** `disaster/flash-flood-drive-through-water`
- **Domain:** disaster
- **Category:** life_threatening
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 85%

## Root Cause

Six inches of moving water can knock a person down; one foot can sweep away a vehicle; two feet can move most cars; drivers cannot judge water depth or road condition underneath, leading to floating or being swept into deeper channels.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| NWS Turn Around Don't Drown Campaign 2024 | active | — | — |
| FEMA Flood Safety Guidelines v4.0 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Turn around, don't drown: find an alternate route or wait for water to recede. Use weather radar to check if flooding is expected: `curl -s 'https://api.weather.gov/points/39.7456,-97.0892' | python3 -c "import sys,json; d=json.load(sys.stdin); print('Flood watch:', d['properties']['forecastHourly'])"`** (95% success)
   ```
   Turn around, don't drown: find an alternate route or wait for water to recede. Use weather radar to check if flooding is expected: `curl -s 'https://api.weather.gov/points/39.7456,-97.0892' | python3 -c "import sys,json; d=json.load(sys.stdin); print('Flood watch:', d['properties']['forecastHourly'])"`
   ```
2. **If stranded in rising water, exit vehicle immediately and move to higher ground; do not stay in car even if it seems safe** (85% success)
   ```
   If stranded in rising water, exit vehicle immediately and move to higher ground; do not stay in car even if it seems safe
   ```
3. **Use a personal flotation device (PFD) if crossing flood water on foot; never walk through moving water deeper than 6 inches** (80% success)
   ```
   Use a personal flotation device (PFD) if crossing flood water on foot; never walk through moving water deeper than 6 inches
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Check depth with a stick before driving** — Water may be deeper than stick length; current can sweep person away; road may be washed out underneath even if water is shallow (85% fail)
- **Drive slowly through water to avoid splashing** — Slow speed does not prevent hydroplaning or engine water ingestion; water can enter exhaust and stall engine, causing sudden stop and entrapment (90% fail)
- **Use a large SUV or truck to cross deeper water** — SUVs and trucks have higher ground clearance but are still vulnerable to floating at 1-2 feet; many flood deaths occur in large vehicles because drivers overestimate capability (80% fail)