Tipp of the Week: Flooded Roadways

Hello Tipp City! Marc the Cop here,

April showers bring May flowers? Yes, but they also bring me headaches. As springtime approaches, we’ve been getting hit here in the Miami Valley with a lot of rain. It reminds me of the days when I was working and dealing with flooded roadways on State Route 571 and Tipp Elizabeth Road, just to name a few.

We can’t forget the Tipp Canal because it floods as well. Every incident doesn’t take long to have an emergency crew respond to a motorist who drove on the flooded roadways.

We even have officers trying to traverse a flooded roadway as well. I would have to remind my officers that the Ford Crown Victoria's air intake is 18 inches above the ground. More than once during my time, an officer applied to get their submarine captain's license, flooded the car, and eventually hydraulically locked the engine.

That was the least of our worries if we had fast-moving water across the roadway. One afternoon, Sgt. Dan Miller and I had closed Elizabeth Road with cones and two of our cruisers and were waiting on the street crew to get there with a road closed sign. A fella in a blue car drove around the barrier between our cruisers and into the deep water. Before Dan and I could get our gun belts off to jump in to save the man, two of our water department employees jumped in and pulled him to safety.

Another time, Kelli Schulte and I were dispatched to Tipp Elizabeth Road, where a motorist came in from 202, got halfway through the high water, and their car flooded and stalled. The fire department had to respond to get the motorist out of the water.

Driving on a flooded roadway is extremely dangerous and should be avoided whenever possible.

Floodwaters can be deceptively deep and fast-moving, posing significant risks to drivers and passengers. One of the most important things to remember is the phrase, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” This emphasizes that finding an alternate route is always safer than attempting to drive through floodwaters.

Even a tiny amount of water can be hazardous. Just six inches of water can cause a driver to lose control or stall the vehicle, especially in smaller cars. A foot of water can float many vehicles, and two feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks. Water may also hide debris, potholes, or portions of the road that have been washed away, making it impossible to judge the road’s condition.

Driving through flooded areas can also cause serious mechanical issues. Water can damage a vehicle’s engine, electrical systems, and interior. If water is sucked into the engine through the air intake, it can cause what’s known as “hydrolock,” effectively destroying the engine. Once a car is stranded in rising waters, occupants are at high risk and may require rescue.

Visibility and traction are also compromised on flooded roads. Braking becomes less effective, and tires can lose contact with the pavement, causing the car to hydroplane. This loss of control can lead to accidents or the vehicle being swept away.

If you encounter a flooded road, stop and turn around.

Look for posted signs or barriers and never drive around them. If you are already caught in water, abandon the vehicle if it is safe and seek higher ground immediately. Emergency services should be contacted as soon as possible.

The dangers of driving on flooded roadways are severe and life-threatening. It’s not just about avoiding car damage—it’s about preserving your safety and the safety of others. Planning, staying informed about weather conditions, and sound judgment can all help prevent a tragic situation. Remember, no destination is worth risking your life. Always choose caution over convenience.

Remember the 9 PM routine! The 9 PM routine is a nightly reminder for residents to remove valuables from their vehicles, lock their vehicle doors, secure their residences, turn on exterior lights, and activate all alarms and security systems.

That is all for this week! Please be safe and care for one another.

I'll see you in church on Sunday!

Sgt. Marc Basye (Ret.)

Do you have a suggestion for the Tip of the Week? Your input is valuable to us. You can email me at Marcthecop@tippgazette.com!

The opinions and statements in this column are those of the author, who is not affiliated with any law enforcement agency. This column is for entertainment purposes only. Persons referred to may be fictional for comedic purposes only.