Beaver, WV (WOAY) – As snow blankets the southern West Virginia landscape flooding still remains a major concern.
After a weekend of heavy rain, the ground remains saturated and many roadways in our area are covered by water. The submerged pavement can pose many hidden dangers such as fallen live power lines, exposed jagged metal or the roadway itself can be broken or buckled.
According to a press release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), it takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks.
Steve Holdren, Assistant Fire Chief with the Beaver Volunteer Fire Department says: “With the current, you just never know if the road is gone. You don’t know the depth of the water. The current is really unsafe and could sweep you away.”
Driving though-flooded roads not only puts you in danger. It puts first responders in danger as well. If you see standing water on roads, do not drive through it. Turn around, don’t drown.
