Missouri Governor Blunt Urges Missouri Drivers to Be Cautious, Offers Flood Tips

Water Patrol Helps Rescue Trapped Drivers in Southern Missouri

April 10, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and the Department of Public Safety today urged drivers to be extra cautious and avoid flooded roads. The governor and public safety officials are also offering tips to help keep Missouri motorists safe.

A car washed away during a flood: Photo by Rick Keir (CC)

Gov. Blunt also commended the Missouri Water Patrol who assisted local authorities in rescuing trapped drivers on the Big Piney River this morning.

“In any emergency our first concern is the safety of Missourians and we want them to have the best information possible to keep themselves and their families safe,” Gov. Blunt said. “Our public safety officials are no strangers to emergencies and I commend them for risking their lives to rescue Missourians who are trapped in rushing waters.”

“Motorists should plan their trips carefully, especially in areas which are or could be affected by high water,” said Director of Public Safety Mark James. “Do not go around barricades. It takes less than 6 inches of rapidly running water to sweep a vehicle off the road into a ditch or down stream.”

Motorists are urged to check with the Missouri Department of Transportation’s updated road conditions at www.modot.mo.gov and click on “Travel Information” on the right side menu. MoDOT reports over 135 state routes closed in Southern Missouri.

“Motorists are also encouraged to drive defensively, especially at night when it is harder to see rising water levels or water over a road and to heed state, county or local barricades set up to block roads because of flooding conditions,” said Missouri State Highway Patrol Superintendent James F. Keathley.

Gov. Blunt and the Department of Public Safety offer the following tips to keep drivers safe:

* A flood watch means there has been enough rainfall to cause a flood.

* A flood warning means there will be flooding.

* A flash flood poses a major threat to motorists because the water can rise quickly without warning. At night, motorists should avoid low-water crossings during and following rainstorms.

* Six inches of fast moving water can carry a car away.

* If your car stalls in water, abandon your car immediately BUT be careful you do not accidentally step into a flooded ditch along the road.

* There is no guarantee you will be able to drive across the road. Water over the road might look like only a foot or two; however, it might be more like five or six feet deep.

* Do not ignore barricades – your life and the lives of your passengers or family may depend on your heeding any closed road signs.

Colonel Rad Talburt of the Water Patrol stated, “With the ground already saturated, it will take very little additional rain to create intense flash flooding. Since heavy rain is anticipated in southern Missouri over the next 24 hours, we want everyone to keep a watchful eye on the rivers and streams and be prepared to evacuate to higher ground, if necessary.” He also reminds people to not put swift water rescue teams in danger by waiting until their homes and access roads are flooded or nightfall to evacuate.

Source: Missouri Governor

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