Expert: Think Before Crossing Water

During Sunday night’s flash floods in Putnam County, an individual had to be rescued from their vehicle.

Putnam County Emergency Management Agency Director Tyler Smith said it only takes two feet of water to pick up a car. When you come to a flooded road, Smith Said thinking of all the variables before you try and cross can save a life.

“A lot of people take too many chances crossing flooded roads, we always say ‘turn around, don’t drown,’ the number one killer of any weather related incident is flash flooding, if you can’t see the road don’t cross it,” Smith said.

Smith said if you cannot see it, losing sight of the road and what surrounds it can lead to an emergency.

“It could be washed out, a lot of times culverts get washed out and you can’t see that with the water over the roadway like that and if it’s washed out your car is going into that big hole and you’re gonna be washed down stream,” Smith said.

If you have to go out during heavy rains, Smith said to be familiar with county areas likely to flood, like South Willow Avenue and any bridges. While also staying tuned in to the changing weather as you travel.

“Be familiar with your surroundings and keep up to date on the latest weather conditions and changes in warnings that the weather service puts out,” Smith said.

The rescue on Sunday happened in the area of Baxter where an individual was saved from the top of their vehicle. Putnam County’s Rescue Squad Swift Water team conducted that rescue.