Another flood warning: How to drive through standing water

Yorkshire has been warned that it could feel the impact of Storm Jonas later this week, meaning that our streets face being hit by heavy rainfall again. The county's drivers suffered during the recent floods, alarmingly highlighted when a school bus in York was stuck in water.
A van drives through water in Bingley on  27 December 2015 after flooding had hit the regionA van drives through water in Bingley on  27 December 2015 after flooding had hit the region
A van drives through water in Bingley on 27 December 2015 after flooding had hit the region

The Environment Agency has issued warnings to our region, Cumbria and Lancashire. There is a threat of rivers bursting their banks again, with the next couple of days being marked out as potential times of trouble.

Chris Wilding of the Environment Agency said that it is “vital that people prepare for heavy rainfall and the risk of further flooding”. Below, motoring experts at LeasePlan give their advice on driving in flood water.

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1. Plan your journey: Motorways are more likely to be congested as traffic moves off flooded A roads. Allow extra time and take a mobile phone, a flask with something to drink and Wellington boots, in case the unexpected happens.

2. Vision: Make sure your windscreen wipers aren’t worn or damaged – and are working properly.

3. See and be seen: Make sure your lights are working properly, especially brake lights and switch on headlights during heavy rain.

4. Stopping distance: Double the distance between you and the car in front – your stopping distance in wet weather is longer. Remember to test brakes gently after entering water as they may not be as responsive.

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5. Slow down: Don’t drive fast through standing water – aqua-planing is a real risk. Remember too that the road may have potholes that, if flooded, you’d be unable to avoid – potentially causing more damage.

6. Depth and speed: If you can’t see the road or kerb, you don’t know how deep the water is. Drive slowly, at 1-2 mph, through deeper water, remain in the centre of the road (the highest point) using a low gear, and keep your revs high to prevent water entering your exhaust. If it’s deeper than 10cm, or if you are in doubt at all, do not proceed and determine an alternative route.

7. Recovery: If you break down in floodwater, get out of the car. Switch on the hazard-warning lights, don’t leave the bonnet open - in heavy rain, this may only add to the engine damage - and call immediately for breakdown assistance or emergency services.