Pearland injury attorneys ask if you're prepared to face flash floods as Texas waters rise in a storm. Read these tips to learn how you can save yourself from dangerous floodwaters.

Pearland injury attorneys provide information on how to face up to Texas flooding. Especially after a long year of severe drought conditions, Texans might find themselves more than usually bemused by the sudden dangers of flash floods.

A number of factors can combine to cause dangerous flash flooding. The crucial ingredients are rainfall duration and intensity. Soil conditions, ground cover, and topography also factor into the equation.

And wildfires, such as Texas experienced in record numbers this year, can change ground conditions. Land recently burned by wildfires can cause heavy mudflows and mudslides. Urban areas and areas under construction also experience increased hazards from heavy rainfall. Buildings, parking lots, and roadways all mean less dirt to absorb precipitation. And lands cleared for construction experience the added risk of mudflows.

Our Pearland injury attorneys warn that rapidity defines the flash flood. Flash flooding occurs within 6 hours of the precipitating event, whether it's heavy rain or a levee breach. The force of a flash flood can take a building off its foundations, wash out a road or a bridge, and tear a large tree right out of the ground. You and your vehicle are no match for a flash flood.

Most flood deaths in the United States result from flash floods, and around of half of flash flooding deaths occur when a vehicle and its occupants get swamped by rising water. Just 6 inches of water will reach the underside of most passenger cars and cause a loss of vehicle control or engine stalling. Either event can result in a serious or fatal accident. 6 inches of rushing water can also knock pedestrians off their feet and pull them under to drown.

One foot of water will float many passenger cars. Two feet of floodwater can carry away an SUV or a pickup truck.

Don't take the risk. Be aware of weather conditions, flood risks in your area, and alternative routes to take you to high ground. When you hear a flash flood warning issued, get off the road and to safety. If you're told to evacuate an area, do so at once. Failure to heed the warning could cost you your life.

If you see rising water and flooded roads, don't attempt to drive through. Flash floods can erode roads and building foundations. If parts of the roadway have been washed away, you could quickly find yourself trapped and your car submerged.

Turn around and drive to higher ground. If you can't drive away, leave your car and get to safety on foot. Avoid walking into floodwaters. As we mentioned, just 6 inches of floodwater might sweep you away. And flood waters can hide downed electrical lines, dead animals, heavy moving objects like trees, and contamination from sewage or other sources. Take particular care at night when it's difficult to see and gauge the danger.

Have an emergency kit handy in your car and at home in the event of a flood. Also have a family contact plan in place so that you can discover each other's whereabouts and status more easily after a flash flood separates you.

If you've experienced a wreck from a flash flood, check out our free e-book on what to do after a serious Houston accident. You can download the book for free here on our website or call our Pearland injury attorneys' office to email you a free copy.



Call us at 877-307-9500 to speak with a Board Certified Pearland personal injury attorney about YOUR case today.