RICHMOND, VA (JULY 15, 2025) ― Drivers are urged to be alert as rounds and rounds of fast-moving storms loaded with heavy, soaking rains have created localized flash flooding in communities across Virginia in recent weeks.  Ditches, creeks, rivers, and lakes can quickly swell out of their banks, flooding onto a roadway, especially in low-lying areas.  Emergency crews across the state have performed numerous water rescues of drivers and passengers stranded in their vehicles on flooded roads this summer.  Overnight, crews were pulling people from flooded cars and blocking off water covered roads in Petersburg in the Tri-cities area south of Richmond.  With more rain in the state forecast, drivers need to be aware of the threat of flash flooding. 

“In some cases, the water from these intense downpours has run off and collected in areas where drivers aren’t used to seeing flooding,” says Morgan Dean, Public and Government Affairs manager for AAA Mid-Atlantic in Virginia. “As little as 12 inches of moving water can sweep most vehicles off the road. The slogan ‘Turn around, don’t drown’ is an important one to remember and follow.”

Between 2015 and 2024, according to The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, more than 62% of flooding deaths happened when the victim drove into standing water. 

AAA offers the following wet-weather driving tips:

• Turn Around, Don’t Drown! As little as six inches of water can cause drivers to lose control of vehicles and potentially stall engines.  Do not attempt to drive through flooded roads. Turn around, find another way, or find a safe location.
• Standing Water May be Hiding Hazards: Standing water can be deceiving and motorists should avoid it. No matter how shallow it may appear, water may be concealing downed power lines or storm debris, potholes or a washed out roadway that can disable your vehicle and put you in a life threatening situation. 
• Slow down – Drivers are more likely to lose control of the vehicle when roads are wet. Drivers should reduce their speed to correspond to the amount of water on the roadway. At speeds as low as 35 mph, new tires can still lose some contact with the roadway.
• Increase following distance – This is even more important when driving near vans, recreational vehicles and cars pulling trailers that may be adversely affected by the wind.
• Avoid cruise control. This feature works great in dry conditions, but when used in wet conditions, the chance of losing control of the vehicle can increase. To prevent loss of traction, the driver may need to reduce the car’s speed by lifting off the accelerator, which cannot be accomplished when cruise control is engaged. Avoiding cruise control will also allow the driver more options to choose from when responding to a potential loss-of-traction situation, thus maximizing your safety. Cruise control can also cause hydroplaning.
• Watch for hydroplaning: No car is immune from hydroplaning on wet surfaces, including four-wheel drive vehicles. With as little as 1/12 inch of water on the road, tires have to displace a gallon of water per second to keep the rubber meeting the road. 
• Brake early – Braking early, but not hard, will allow the time needed to slow the car. Even if brakes work under normal conditions that doesn’t mean they will react the same on slippery roads where tires roll with less traction. To reduce chances of hydroplaning, drivers should slow down, avoid hard braking or turning sharply and drive in the tracks of the vehicle ahead of you.
• Drive with greater caution and alertness – The key to driving safely in rainy weather is to concentrate on every aspect of driving. Avoiding distractions is essential.
• Check your wipers – Before leaving the house, make sure your windshield wipers are working properly.
• Make yourself visible: If you are forced to stop due to poor visibility, turn on emergency flashers immediately.
• Slow down, move over: A reminder, drivers need to slow down and move over for roadside workers, including emergency roadside service crews, first responders, and law enforcement officers displaying red, blue or amber emergency lights.   As of July of 2023, Virginia’s Move Over law now also includes ALL stationary vehicles on the side of the road, displaying hazard lights, flares or warning signs. Give them the space to be safe. 
• Seek higher ground: If the vehicle stalls or is suddenly caught in rising water, leave it immediately.  
• Take the nearest exit:  If conditions worsen to the point where there are any safety concerns, exit the roadway. Don’t just stop on the shoulder or under a bridge unless it is unsafe to proceed otherwise. If your visibility is compromised, other drivers may be struggling too.

“Know before you go and delay or postpone travel until a storm has passed and flood waters have receded,” says Dean. Follow local weather forecasts and pay attention to alerts from the National Weather Service.   You can learn more about alerts here.

Emergency Kit

AAA recommends that drivers create a warm weather severe weather emergency kit to carry in their cars. The kit should include items such as nonperishable food/snacks and water, tool kit, flashlight, hand-crank or battery-powered radio, extra batteries, cell phone and charger, first-aid supplies, flares or reflectors, raincoat or poncho, a towel or blanket, and rain boots or an extra pair of shoes. 

About AAA:

AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to more than 65.2 million members nationwide and more than 1.2 million members in Virginia.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  AAA is a non-stock, membership corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can map a route, find local gas prices and electric vehicle charging stations, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information on joining or renewing a Membership, visit www.AAA.com.