# AI advises staying inside a car during a flash flood to avoid being swept away

- **ID:** `disaster/flashflood-shelter-in-car`
- **Domain:** disaster
- **Category:** life_threatening
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 90%

## Root Cause

Cars are not flood-proof; even 30 cm of water can float a car, and 60 cm can sweep it away. Staying inside traps you in a metal box that fills with water and can be crushed by debris.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| flood-warning-v2.2 | active | — | — |
| turn-around-dont-drown-2024 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Abandon the car immediately and move to higher ground on foot. Do not attempt to drive through any flooded roadway.** (95% success)
   ```
   Abandon the car immediately and move to higher ground on foot. Do not attempt to drive through any flooded roadway.
   ```
2. **If trapped in rising water, break a side window with a glass breaker or heavy object and exit before water pressure equalizes.** (70% success)
   ```
   If trapped in rising water, break a side window with a glass breaker or heavy object and exit before water pressure equalizes.
   ```
3. **If swept away, float on your back with feet downstream to protect your head from debris, and grab onto any stationary object.** (65% success)
   ```
   If swept away, float on your back with feet downstream to protect your head from debris, and grab onto any stationary object.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — Water pressure makes doors and windows impossible to open; the car sinks or is swept, and holding on does nothing when the car rolls. (92% fail)
- **** — The car can be swept away or flipped by the current; the roof offers no protection from debris and you may be thrown off. (85% fail)
- **** — Water entering the engine stalls it; the car loses traction and floats, drifting into deeper water. (90% fail)