Survival Guide: Driving Through Floods 101

**niky** · August 14th, 2012 01:44 PM

Survival Guide: Driving Through Floods 101

When faced with a flooded roadway, ask yourself the following questions: (1) How deep is the water? (2) Where are the gutters and open manholes? (3) How far it is to dry ground? (4) Is the current is strong enough to carry you over the edge of the road? and (5) Where are the edges of the road?

If you can’t answer even one of these questions, then why risk it? Choose your battles wisely. Whenever possible, find an alternate route, preferably one leading to higher ground or the nearest multi-storey car-park.

Two weeks late for some people who didn't learn their lessons from Ondoy... but it might save someone in the future...

**basti08** · August 14th, 2012 02:07 PM

This is a very very good article. Very simple and easy to understand. Thanks for this article :D

**niky** · August 14th, 2012 02:44 PM

Hehe...

One thing I feel is lacking in most guides is an explanation of intake placement. Most people assume that just because their car is tall, the intake is clear of any water.

This is just not true. The Ford Escape and our 2007 CR-V are prime examples of this. They both have intake placement at a mere bumper level. S.O.P., whenever someone new drives the car, I pop the hood and point it out to them... to make sure that they won't get it into their heads to try flood fording with the CR-V.

**basti08** · August 14th, 2012 03:00 PM

I like the graphics, it made the whole explanation simple. Then, out of nowhere, it reminded me of the intake placement of my old Mazda 626 (hood level) hahahaha I dont know why

**ecneret** · August 14th, 2012 03:05 PM

Avoid crossing against oncoming traffic or beside trucks. Bow waves from large vehicles can push flood water up into your air intake. On the contrary, driving behind the wake of a truck can help you ford deeper areas than you normally could. Of course, if the truck should slow down or stop for any reason, you’re toast.

ganito yung nangyari sakin dati, ok na yung andar ko tapos biglang may humarurot na bus na kasalubong ko.. ayun! tirik! buti na lang malapit na sa flyover so naitulak namin then patuyo ng konti...

anyways, tfs! very informative!

**niky** · August 14th, 2012 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by basti08

I like the graphics, it made the whole explanation simple. Then, out of nowhere, it reminded me of the intake placement of my old Mazda 626 (hood level) hahahaha I dont know why

Ah, the 626. Perfect intake placement. Too bad the car was ground-scrapingly low.

**ghosthunter** · August 14th, 2012 05:16 PM

At least in the ASX, the intake is about headlight level.

**IMm29** · August 16th, 2012 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by niky

Ah, the 626. Perfect intake placement. Too bad the car was ground-scrapingly low.

Oh! Fellow Former 626 owners, I see.

I miss that car.

**niky** · August 14th, 2012 07:38 PM

Even if the resonator is not water tight, it will take some minutes for water to get in. But you shouldn't ever drive for more than a few seconds through a flood. If it will take half-a-minute or more, don't even try.