What Not to Do at Low Water Crossings

"PatBateman" (PatBateman) 10/25/2015 at 00:46 • Filed to: Safe Driving

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So this pic just popped up on CNN.com about the flooding going on in Texas. It is almost exactly like a low water crossing just west of Austin that I used to conduct swift water rescues at when I was a volunteer firefighter in the ‘90s.

It’s currently raining like hell here in Houston and has been for most of the afternoon/evening. There are other parts of the state that have received over 20” of rainfall, and I’m pretty sure a few Opponauts/Jalops in South Texas who live in areas that have received flooding (and I hope/pray that they are ALL safe, every one of you, like it or not).

Let’s, for a second, go back to the picture that shows adults LEADING CHILDREN INTO AN ACTIVE LOW WATER CROSSING. Here’s a neat story for you: One Friday evening, in 1994 I believe, I was toned out (I was a volunteer firefighter, remember?) the night before my SAT to a swift water rescue scenario at the spot I’m referencing. Since I lived very close to the location, I was first on scene. The water was just about a foot higher than what it is in the pic. There were two cars in the water sliding towards the drop off embankment that you can’t see to the right as presented to you. The occupants of both cars had climbed onto the roofs of their vehicles.

The fire engine was second to arrive shortly afterwards. We threw them a rope and helped each person (three total) to safety. Shortly afterwards, the cars were swept down stream as the water increased in both volume and speed (it was raining like a MF that night and had just begun it’s downpour at the time). The next day, on my way home from the SAT (I scored an 1100 out of 1600, which I was unhappy with), I saw one of the cars, a light blue Probe, in a tree. Not at the base of the tree, but 10 feet up a god damned tree. That’s how high the water was just on the other side of the road.

Let me clarify something: I’m not fishing for compliments or for someone to say that I’m some kind of “hometown hero”. If I wasn’t there, the engine crew would have pulled them to safety regardless. What I AM saying is DO NOT GO NEAR LOW WATER CROSSINGS WITH WATER ON THEM IN YOUR EFFING CAR AND CERTAINLY NOT WITH YOUR CHILDREN ON FOOT. That water is actually going through there pretty quickly, and if little Johnny or Jill trips and falls, they are potentially being carried down stream into a mess of debris, rocks, trees, undercurrents, and death. I’ll say that last part again. DEATH.

While this has been said on the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! several !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , I feel the need to say it again.

Water across roadways are situations to be taken seriously. They are a real dangers and certainly not “hold on, watch this!” scenarios. Instead, avoid them. Steer clear of them. Find another route. Please do not tempt fate and try to cross them, regardless of whether you think you can make it across or not.

Post this to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or just email it to a friend. If it saves a life, it’s worth it. Thank you.

Photo courtesy of cnn.com

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > PatBateman 10/25/2015 at 01:01

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As my local CBS station always like to says on the scrolling banner at the bottom of the screen during a severe t-storm: “Turn around, don’t drown.”

Opposite Locksmith > PatBateman 10/25/2015 at 01:05

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I'm in San Marcos. Luckily it hasn't gotten wild here like a few months ago

PatBateman > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 10/25/2015 at 01:06

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From personal experience, you’d be SHOCKED how many people don't actually do this.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > PatBateman 10/25/2015 at 01:08

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My father was an EMT for a few years so I can believe it.

PatBateman > Opposite Locksmith 10/25/2015 at 01:09

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My mother has a friend who HAD a riverfront house near San Marcos. It was washed away before her eyes in the Memorial Day flood.

Steve in Manhattan > PatBateman 10/25/2015 at 01:10

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Deeper water: “I’ve got a Yukon, I can make it!”

Um, no. You can’t. A couple feet of water, the engine seizes, and you’re done.

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > PatBateman 10/25/2015 at 01:14

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If only people would understand that water has the ability to do more damage than any fire. Sucks that its flooding across parts of the state tonight, but damn, we needed some rain...just not this much haha

wiffleballtony > PatBateman 10/25/2015 at 01:14

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Is not using a small pink umbrella when you’re a grown adult one of the things to not do?

PatBateman > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 10/25/2015 at 01:15

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It’s sad, really. I once had a Judge in a 7 Series argue with me, as a firefighter in full gear blocking off the road, that he was “allowed” to traverse the low water crossing. I finally had to have a cop threaten him with arrest, regardless of his position and belief, if he ran through our roadblock.

I can't lie, it was fun to threaten a judge with arrest in the pouring down rain and the law behind me.

PatBateman > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/25/2015 at 01:18

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How’s your neighborhood holding up? Fort Bend is under a flash flood warning (and the rainfall is backing that up).

PatBateman > wiffleballtony 10/25/2015 at 01:19

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If it gets the job done, no shame in the game.

PatBateman > Steve in Manhattan 10/25/2015 at 01:22

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I have a 2006 F150 4x4. I can attest that, while running through a big ass puddle is fun, moving (and deeper than your hub) water is a no go.

ttyymmnn > PatBateman 10/25/2015 at 01:22

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http://kxan.com/2015/10/19/act…

PatBateman > ttyymmnn 10/25/2015 at 01:29

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I went down that same shoot on the Comal as a 14 year old and can attest to the verocity of the undertow there.

It doesn't take much to make it a serious situation.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > PatBateman 10/25/2015 at 01:29

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That’s insane.

PatBateman > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 10/25/2015 at 01:32

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In Texas, judges have special license plates to indicate their positions. This isn’t an intelligent person/dumb person problem; it’s an EVERYONE person problem. Thus, this post.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > PatBateman 10/25/2015 at 01:53

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Not just the danger of the water itself, but you don’t know what it might be carrying or whether the road is even still there! The same goes for bridges, if the water is right at the bottom of the bridge, or starting to come over, there’s no way I’m going near it. Just ask the Grand Canyon what water is capable of our go watch some tsunami videos on YouTube.

Steve in Manhattan > PatBateman 10/25/2015 at 01:56

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I’ve heard people that study baboons talk about having to outfit their Defender with the full rhino package, and they need it. They also get the stack intake so the truck can go through 3-4 feet of water. You can’t do that in a stock Tundra.

ttyymmnn > PatBateman 10/25/2015 at 01:56

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That boy was lucky. If you’re going to drown, it’s best to try it right near a bunch of rescue guys in full gear. I think that what the commander says about drowning is important information. People who are drowning don’t look like they’re drowning. When I fell off a raft in my uncle’s pool forty some years ago, I didn’t cry out or yell for help. I was too busy trying to stay alive until my uncle dove in to pull me out.

http://www.slate.com/articles/healt…

PatBateman > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 10/25/2015 at 02:00

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Yes yes yes. All it takes is a small structural breach and the entire roadway collapses, ESPECIALLY in dry areas that don't see regular downpours.

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > PatBateman 10/25/2015 at 02:05

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Well, fortunately my street hasn’t had any issues yet. Thankfully I live in Spring where flooding is rare for us. I hear the flat portions of I-45 just below the north side of Beltway 8 are submerged.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > PatBateman 10/25/2015 at 02:06

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Like the recent mudslides in California. Hell, I live in a hilly city that sees so much rain it’s a cliche, and there is, bare minimum, one water related ground/road/hill problem every year that royally fucks up somebody’s day.

PatBateman > ttyymmnn 10/25/2015 at 02:06

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For a summer in college (1996, yes, I’m an “old”), I was a lifeguard in some of Austin’s public pools. I had two “saves” that year. Neither called out for help; they just either flailed their hands or sunk to the bottom. Both tried to grab onto me and force their way up to air.

It isn’t “Baywatch” when someone is drowning.

PatBateman > Steve in Manhattan 10/25/2015 at 02:08

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For small streams, go for it. Flooding situations? NAH.

:)

PatBateman > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/25/2015 at 02:10

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59 South and the Beltway is underwater (three out of four lanes, last I checked).

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > PatBateman 10/25/2015 at 02:13

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I can’t think of a single reason why anybody would want to be out in this horrible rain.

PatBateman > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 10/25/2015 at 02:13

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It really doesn't take much when you're in an area that doesn't get that kind of rain on the regular.

PatBateman > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/25/2015 at 02:16

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Yes you can.

facw > Steve in Manhattan 10/25/2015 at 03:00

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In the flooding here earlier this year there was an Escalade that tried it in front of my building. Didn’t work, but they were at least smart enough to drive it up on to the median and ditch it there, which probably avoided significant damage. But yeah, I even saw a fire truck die from driving in water that was too deep, so doubt a normal vehicle would have done much good.

Steve in Manhattan > facw 10/25/2015 at 03:06

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I have limited experience, but I’m guessing flowing water is hard to judge. You might think “Land Cruiser”! “I can do this!” But then reality steps in.

LongbowMkII > PatBateman 10/25/2015 at 06:53

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no occifers to pull me over *hic*

I’d think that alcohol was often a contributing factor in underestimating the floodwaters, has your experience agreed?

Slow4o > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) 10/25/2015 at 07:32

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I had to go to work. Looked bad leaving around 930, but just got home and it was fine.

Opposite Locksmith > PatBateman 10/25/2015 at 08:05

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It was INSANITY. There were mobile homes on the highway, my old roommates frat house had 6 feet of water in it, somehow they didn't have to condemn it, FEMA was here until recently

shop-teacher > PatBateman 10/25/2015 at 08:53

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I can understand why someone would be dumb enough to think their truck could make it. Their stupid dangerous morons, but I get it. You’re a big tough man, in a big tough truck, and you’re in a hurry.

What I don’t understand ... What I simply cannot wrap my mind around ... is what the fuck would make somebody stupid and wreckless enough to walk your children into that!!! Your very small children no less. If I saw this in real life, I would tackle these idiots! What the fuck is the matter with people?!?!?!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > PatBateman 10/25/2015 at 11:39

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I believe it. Isn’t there a lot of clay in the ground down there? That stuff certainly can’t help.