The Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) is once again pleading with Victorians not to drive through floodwaters, following a high number of floodwater rescues last week (26-29 January).
Warning against the danger the Service said it received more than 2,000 calls for assistance when thunderstorms and heavy rain hit parts of the State last week and volunteers conducted 26 different floodwater rescues during that period.
VICSES said it was clear that, despite the warnings and campaigns, too many drivers continued to underestimate the risks and consequences of driving into floodwater.
It said that, worldwide, floods were the highest cause of fatalities from natural hazards and driving a motor vehicle into floodwater was the single biggest cause of flood deaths during Australian floods.
The Service said there were 96 vehicle-related flood fatalities recorded in Australia from 2001-17.
“Flash flooding, caused by heavy rain, can happen at any time and is often made worse by blocked drains, burst water mains or toppling creeks and rivers,” it said.
“The floodwater flowing in front of you, in some circumstances, may have already torn open the surface of the road.”
VICSES said an experiment conducted by the University of New South Wales’s Water Research Laboratory found a small car could float in just 15cm of water; a medium-sized car in 30cm of water; and a large four-wheel drive in 45cm of water.
The Service highlighted the dangers of being trapped in a floating vehicle, including collisions with debris; sudden airbag deployment; and floodwaters disabling electric windows and locks, making it “almost impossible to escape”.
It said that even if doors were unlocked, the weight of water on the body of the vehicle meant people may not be able to open them.
“Because of all these reasons, we ask you take this advice: Never play, enter or drive through floodwater,” it said.
“The risk to all is too great and may cost you your life,” VICSES said.
