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Safe Driving Tips During Our Flash Flood Watch

By Beth Janicek

If you are anywhere in the central Texas area, chances are you've been hit by hard rain. San Antonio has been drenched by record rainfall and powerful thunderstorms that has left much of the area under flash flood watches.

According to Chris Morris, a National Weather Service forecaster in New Braunfels, rainfall on Thursday totaled 1.49 inches, surpassing the previous record of 1.06 inches set for January 14, 1889. The majority of rail fell after 7 p.m., with the airport recording an additional 1.05 inches of rain from midnight until 10 a.m. Friday.

The precipitation is the result of an upper-level storm moving from northern Mexico into Texas and drawing Gulf moisture. Forecasters say they expect the rain to continue through midday Saturday, with flash flood watches remaining until midnight tonight.

This morning up until 10 a.m. the police reported 97 minor accidents and 18 major ones. The average is about 125 minor accidents and eight major ones a day. If you have to be out in these conditions remember these driving tips for wet weather provided by the San Antonio Express News:

• Clean windshields and windows both inside and out to improve visual clarity.
• Verify that headlights, tail lights, turn signals, and brake lights are working.
• Turn on headlights when driving in the rain.
• If rain has reduced visibility so much so that you cannot see other vehicles or the edges of the road, pull over until the rainfall lessens.
• Find an alternative route if you cannot determine the depth of water on a roadway.

And most importantly, do NOT drive through flooding in low-water crossings, low-lying areas, creeks, and streams. Individuals caught in high-water at a designated low water crossing and have to be rescued by SAFD will be issued a $600 fine. Remember, 'TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN!'

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Beth Janicek

Full post as published by San Antonio Personal Injury Lawyer on January 15, 2010 (boomark / email).