The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is urging drivers to obey barricades at flooded roadways, saying that even a road that looks passable can hide serious dangers, according to an Oct. 8 agency article.
Most flood-related deaths in Texas happen in vehicles, often because motorists try to drive through water-covered roadways, TxDOT said. Many people underestimate the power of water or do not know about the unseen dangers underwater, the agency said.
“If there’s a barricade blocking a road, there’s a reason that barricade is there. Don’t go around it,” TxDOT Emergency Management Coordinator Matthew Heinze said. “If there’s not a barricade there, our crews may not have been able to make it out there in time. Use extreme caution.”
TxDOT listed several hazards that may lie behind a road closure. They include damaged bridges and roads, since water can wash away a road or bridge even if the surface looks safe; debris carried by the current and hidden underwater; currents stronger than they appear, with just a few inches of moving water capable of causing a vehicle to lose control; open storm drains and gutters whose covers have been swept away; and fallen power lines that can electrify the area without anyone noticing, according to the agency.
Even when no damage is visible, a team of engineers may still need to inspect a structure to determine whether it is safe for traffic, TxDOT said. “Water is very powerful and can cause damage that may not be easily seen,” Heinze said. “The water may only look a few inches deep, but the road or bridge could be washed out.”
Heinze also noted that water rescues jeopardize the lives of those in the vehicle and of the first responders who come to help, and that drivers who go around barricades can face a financial cost. TxDOT urged residents to remember the phrase “Turn around don’t drown.”
According to the agency, Texas law requires drivers to comply with barriers blocking low-water crossings or flooded roadways or face a fine of up to $2,000 and 180 days in jail. Tampering with or removing warning signs or barricades can lead to a fine of up to $1,000 and up to two years in jail, TxDOT said.
Road closures and alternate routes are posted in real time on DriveTexas.org, and the agency advised drivers to check the site before heading out.