Turn Around, Don't Drown...

[ScreamingMeemie]

It never ceases to amaze me that people don't take the "Flash Flood" warning seriously here in Houston.

http://abc13.com/news/video-reporter-steve-campion-rescues-driver-from-flood/1296639/


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope my fellow DUers are safe. Roads are impassable here. So far, my only casualties are two brand new lawn chairs. That was a rough one last night.

[kentauros]

1. My guess on why people don't take it seriously here is the land is mostly flat.

Their imagination is that it takes hills to make a "flash flood" as they've likely learned from watching video of that happening in central Texas. They simply do not imagine what happens when a flood plain floods.

[ScreamingMeemie]

11. I think it is also due a to the large number of us "transplants."

Many haven't experienced it. In Detroit, the Lodge used to be a drainoff (kid you not), and we would see people stuck there all the time.

[kentauros]

16. "The Lodge"?

You're going to have to explain that one to me

And yes, transplants (and immigrants) don't know what things are like here until they experience it. I can only guess that many of them didn't pay any attention to the news over the decades when we've gone through major floods.

[ScreamingMeemie]

20. LOL Whoops! The Lodge is M-10 outside of Detroit... It's a link from 1-75/I-94 to the heart

of downtown. It was also constructed (back in the day) as a runoff to prevent flooding. In the 80s, people used to get stuck on that segment in their cars... up to their chests in water.

[kentauros]

21. That's bizarre.

I would assume they've at least installed storm-drain systems by now to divert the water through instead of the roadway? Because otherwise, that's extremely dangerous. Not to mention being a lawsuit magnet.

[ScreamingMeemie]

22. The entire stretch was rebuilt in the late 80s.

The big difference between there and here is that our freeways run over city streets while Detroit's freeways run under city streets (in the older sections).

[2naSalit]

2. But but but

I'm invincible in my little metal container on wheels!

[Downwinder]

4. I've seen many that think a car is a Superman suit.

[2naSalit]

6. I am thoroughly convinced

That a significant portion of drivers in the US think that way.

[Downwinder]

7. And not just the SUV's and HUMVEE's

[zalinda]

3. They don't think that it is that deep

which is why they try to drive through it. If there were some sort of markers in those deep spots, people would be able to notice whether it's deep or not.

Although, signs don't always work, as most people know who live in towns with low bridges. We always have trucks smack into those bridges, no matter how many signs are put up.

Z

[snooper2]

12. That is why you are supposed to walk out into the water and see how deep it is

Like we learned in the backwoods of Missery...Shit, not even up to my knees...Going through!

[ScreamingMeemie]

13. In San Antonio, they have markers alongside the freeways letting you

know the depth of the water. They need that in Houston. I have seen it on country roads, but not the freeways.

[kentauros]

17. It really depends on the freeway and the location.

Most Houstonians know to stay away from the sunken portions of I-10, 288, and 59 inside the loop. Most of the freeways are actually built up higher than the surrounding lands, even over the bayous.

Now I did see 610 W flood near Braes last May, but it wasn't the bayou flooding, it was a ditch/tributary that had backed up and couldn't drain. The road planner obviously hadn't considered that when they rebuilt the West Loop fifteen years ago.

Most times people flood their vehicles on the feeder roads. Those are significantly lower than the freeways and almost always flood in situations like this. And then there are some underpasses that were dug out to prevent making a typical overpass bridge on the freeway. Those always turn into small lakes.

[christx30]

18. Sometimes you have no idea.

I was caught about 6 months ago on my way to work. Huge, scary flood. I don't go through any backwoods areas. Just normal city streets. Drove through floodwaters at Stassney and Manchaca in Austin, tx. Check it out on Google. It doesn't look like a flood area. But that day, I had water a lit 3/4 the way up my car door. I'm lucky I made it through there.

[KatyMan]

5. It was pretty wild last night.

All night. It would crash down rain for about an hour, stop for a bit and just when you thought it was over it would start again. The lightning was something else though, very bright and at times almost constant.

[ScreamingMeemie]

14. My entire house was shaking with the nonstop thunder.

I was super grateful when they called school for my kid.

[malaise]

8. Stay safe

Many people don't take Flash Floods seriously anywhere.

Stay safe

[ScreamingMeemie]

15. It has slowed down quite a bit now.

It got really dicey from 12-4-ish a.m. here in Spring.

[panader0]

9. Here in Arizona (yes, it floods here too)

there is a "stupid motorist" law. When the normally dry arroyos are running and the barricades are put
up, anyone who tries to cross and is unsuccessful, must pay all expenses incurred and any fines.
Several years ago, in Tucson after a big summer storm, my friend and I went to the (now dry) Pantano
Wash to see about his truck. It had been swept off the road the evening before. He was lucky to get out.
We found the truck about 100 yards downstream. The only part visible was the roof of the cab. The rest of the
truck was under the sand.

[snooper2]

10. That is usually the case, but not always- Depends on what you are driving and # of fucks given

Truck vs Flood

Crazy Fire Truck driving through flood

[Spitfire of ATJ]

19. We get that in Vegas too.

[Texasgal]

23. We have the same problem here

in Central Texas. We are the flash flood capitol! Amazed at how many doofuses will drive through! I'll never understand it. SMH

I hope you are okay! Austin missed the brunt of the heavy rain. Looks like more is on the way! Stay safe!

[ScreamingMeemie]

24. Thanks! We are good (so far).

Spring Creek just burst its banks and is up over 249 and Cypress Creek has washed out a lot of the Champions area. It will be interesting to see what tonight brings.

Fun side note: I keep threatening to buy my mother in law a map of Texas for her birthday. Whenever something happens in Austin or Dallas, she calls to check on us. I haven't heard from her today.

[Texasgal]

26. LOL!

Who cares about Houston? Only the largest city in Texas and in the top 10 of the USA! Lordy!

Lots of water heading down stream, it's not gonna be good for alot of folks.

[Lurker Deluxe]

27. Interesting ....

I have not wandered out today, just no reason to.

However, it would seem like we may be neighbors, I live at Champions/1960.

And yea, it was crazy last night.

[ScreamingMeemie]

28. I believe we are!

I'm at Louetta, just east of Champions.

There's a higher ground video of your neighborhood making its way around the 'net. You were smart to stay in.

https://www.facebook.com/kevin.barris.5/posts/10206234301003951?fref=nf

I found myself begging the storm (at about 1:30) to stop for just 20 minutes so I could fall back asleep.

[kentauros]

32. This is where I buy my physical maps:

Key Map Store
They have many very nice maps, and not just of Texas. Plus, they sell globes.

I keep a Houston Key Map in my car. Better than gps

[jpak]

25. That guy was very stoopid...

or impaired...

yup

[Skink]

29. If you are caught in a flash flood in San Antonio

Sometimes the freeways are safer than local roads

[liberal N proud]

30. Even weather reporters fail to heed their own words...

Ignoring Warning Signs, Cleveland Meteorologist Dick Goddard Required Rescue from Flash Flood

This happened in 2014...


Turning off of I-71 onto State Route 3, en route to his home in Medina, the 83-year-old Channel 8 weatherman noticed the car in front of him “slam into what looked like a raging river,” according to the Medina Gazette.

Deciding to proceed anyway, Goddard soon found his car submerged in the tempestuous waterway.

"Anyway, I begin to move, and then all of the sudden I can't move," Goddard said in an interview with cleveland.com. "The water's coming up, I'm stuck, I can't go anywhere, the electronics are out, I can't put the window down."

Well, it was a flash flood, Dick! Shouldn't a seasoned weatherman be able to spot such a dangerous situation?

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2014/05/14/ignoring-warning-signs-cleveland-meteorologist-dick-goddard-required-rescue-from-flash-flood

[ScreamingMeemie]

31. That had to be scary as heck.

Jeepers

[Skittles]

33. may I add that EVERYONE needs to know how to swim

you don't have to be a great swimmer but you need to know enough to tread water and move in water!