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FloodingUnited States

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Traffic signs
Traffic rules
United States

74. Flooding

Flooding occurs when water covers or threatens a road because of heavy rain, overflowing rivers, poor drainage, storm surges or other causes. Flooded roads can become dangerous very quickly because water can reduce tyre grip, hide potholes or debris and make it difficult to judge the depth or strength of the current.

Drivers approaching flooding should slow down, assess the situation carefully and obey any warning signs or road closures. If the depth or condition of the water is uncertain, the safer option is to avoid entering the flooded section and use another route.

Flooding
A "road flooded" sign warning drivers of a flooded roadway following heavy rains and extensive melting snow. (New York, United States)
Wikimedia.org • Juliancolton • CC0
Why is flooding dangerous for road traffic?

Floodwater can reduce grip, hide damage or debris, affect vehicle control and make the actual depth of the water difficult to judge.

Should you drive through a flooded road?

Only when it is clearly safe and permitted. If the depth, current or road condition is uncertain, drivers should avoid entering the flooded section and find another route.

How can flooding be indicated to drivers?

Authorities may use warning signs, temporary traffic signs, barriers or road-closure signs to warn drivers or prevent access to a flooded road.

1 United States 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Speed limit 5 Minimum speed 6 Advisory speed 7 Bike path 8 Pedestrian warning 9 Tunnel 10 Bridge 11 Speed bump 12 Toll road 13 One-way traffic 14 Slope 15 Bus lane 16 Bus stop 17 Dead end 18 Stop sign 19 Give way 20 Roundabout 21 Road narrowing 22 Pedestrian crossing 23 Railway crossing 24 Mandatory direction 25 Turn prohibition 26 School area 27 Crossing animals 28 Slippery road 29 Rockfall 30 Aircraft 31 Curve 32 Chevron 33 Wrong-way driving 34 Roadworks 35 Height limit 36 Weight limit 37 Radar speed sign 38 Selective barriers 39 Traffic lights 40 Traffic lights warning 41 Pedestrian lights 42 Road markings 43 Bike box 44 Speed feedback 45 Driving licence 46 Traffic mirror 47 Emergency telephone 48 Cycling route 49 Parking 50 No parking 51 No stopping 52 Parallel parking 53 Park and ride 54 Kiss and ride 55 Disabled parking 56 Traffic management 57 Reversing 58 U-turn 59 Carpool 60 Detour 61 Uncontrolled crossroad 62 Ramp 63 Exit 64 Horse riding 65 Emergency exit 66 Runaway truck ramp 67 Oversize load 68 City limit 69 Tourist attraction 70 Horn 71 Axle weight limit 72 Licence plate 73 Charging station 74 Flooding 75 Dip 76 Horse 77 Local traffic 78 Pedestrian 79 Cyclist 80 Motorcycle 81 Truck 82 Bus 83 Police 84 Ambulance 85 Police signals 86 Gravel road 87 Pothole 88 Median strip 89 Public property 90 Path 91 Particulates 92 Air pollution 93 Interchange 94 Rush hour 95 Filling station 96 Road code 97 Two-way traffic 98 Passing lane 99 Street gutter 100 Road debris ...