Turn Around - Don’t Drown! Many Roads in Montgomery County Susceptible to Flooding so Consider Alternate Routes Beforehand!

Turn Around - Don’t Drown!  Many Roads in Montgomery County Susceptible to Flooding so Consider Alternate Routes Beforehand!

County residents are urged to be alert to changing weather conditions and should be prepared for possible flash flooding now through this evening as this storm system is expected to continue with heavy rains for a while. 

When it rains heavily, there may be flash floods, flood warnings and flood watches issued. Flash floods more often occur in mountain streams, hilly areas or low-lying areas. But they do happen in urban and suburban areas like Montgomery County, as well. Flash floods can occur even though it's not raining where you are. It may be raining hard farther upstream and raining so hard that the water can not be absorbed into the ground. 

Safety Tips: 

If a flash flood warning is issued, act immediately. Don't wait for high water to dictate your course of action. 

Know your location when you are driving. If you needed rescue, would you be able to direct emergency crews to your location? Distracted driving can lead to a situation where you are stranded and unable to direct emergency crews to you. Be alert! 

Never drive through a flooded road or bridge. Turn Around - Don’t Drown and try an alternate route! In many cases, it takes far less than a foot of water to incapacitate a vehicle. It may stall, leaving you stranded, and depending on the level of water, you may not be able to open a vehicle door. Do not underestimate the power of moving water. 

Watch for flooding at bridges and dips in the road. Never drive where water is over bridges or roads. Turn around - Don’t Drown! The bridges or the road could suddenly be washed out. If you're driving at night be especially careful. Often visibility is limited due to wind and rain. 

Often what you can't see below the surface of the water is far more dangerous than the high levels of that water. Remember that rocks, tree limbs and other debris can be caught in moving water and can be dangerous if you are forced to walk, wade or swim through flood waters. 

If you have to walk or wade through flood water, use a stick to poke the ground in front of you with each step. It can help you determine water levels, the bottom surface and the safest possible way to get to higher ground. 

Remember that flash floods can come without warning, and sometimes without weather. Be alert and heed all warnings and recommendations from officials. From FEMA's website, some further information about driving through flooded roadways:

Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling. 

A foot of water will float many vehicles. 

Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV's) and pick-ups 

TURN AROUND - DON’T DROWN and try an alternate route!

ROADS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY SUBJECT TO PERIODIC FLOODING: 

DOWN-COUNTY AREAS

MD 29 (Columbia Pike) at Paint Branch - N. of White Oak 

MD 185 (Conn. Ave) at Rock Creek - S. of Kensington 

MD 190 (River Road) at Cabin John Creek - Potomac 

MD 193 (Univ. Blvd) at Sligo Creek - Wheaton 

MD 586 (Viers Mill Rd) at Rock Creek - S. of Twinbrook Pkwy. 

Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park - Kensington-Chevy Chase 

Sligo Creek Pkwy - Silver Spring-Takoma Park 

UP-COUNTY AREAS

MD 97 (Georgia Ave) at Reddy Branch - N. of Brookeville 

MD 124 (Woodfield Rd) at Goshen Branch and at Gr. Seneca Creek - N. of Brink Rd. 

MD 117 (Clopper Rd) at Gr. Seneca Creek - W. of Gaithersburg 

MD 117 (Clopper Rd) at Little Seneca Creek - E. of Boyds 

MD 355 (Frederick Rd) at Little Seneca Creek - W. of Brink 

MD 121 (Clarksburg Rd) near Little Seneca Lake - N. of Boyds 

MD 118 (Germantown Rd) at Great Seneca Creek - S. of Germantown 

River Rd and Berryville Rd at Seneca Creek - Seneca 

Blunt Road at Great Seneca Creek - S. of Brink Rd. 

Davis Mill Rd at Great Seneca Creek - N. of Gaithersburg 

Brighton Dam Rd at Hawlings River - NE of Brookeville 

Goldmine Rd at Hawlings River - E of Olney 

Zion Rd at Hawlings River - E. of Laytonsville 

Hoyles Mill Rd at ford of Little Seneca Creek - Germantown, west of soccer complex 

Loghouse Rd at Magruder Branch - S. of Damascus 

Elton Farm Rd at Haights Branch - N. of Sunshine 

Howard Chapel Rd at Haights Branch - N. of Sunshine 

White’s Ferry Road and River Road - White’s Ferry 

More at: Street Flooding Hazards

Winter Weather Advisory and a Winter Storm Watch are now in effect for Montgomery County

A Winter Weather Advisory and a Winter Storm Watch are now in effect for Montgomery County. Two phase storm system expected to effect Montgomery County over the next 48 hrs. The first part of the storm will move through overnight tonight with light sleet and freezing rain. Up to .1" of ice and sleet possible from the first part of this storm and this part of the storm is covered by a Winter Weather Advisory from Midnight tonight through noon tomorrow.

After a short break in precipitation tomorrow, the second more significant part of the storm will move through Tuesday Evening-Wednesday and is covered by a SEPARATE Winter Storm Watch. Some guidance does indicate that up to .50" of glaze ice is possible during the second phase of the storm for areas of North Montgomery County. If this amount does appear likely, a warning will be issued reflecting these amounts.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY is issued when frozen precipitation is expected which may impact travel. Travel during the Tuesday morning rush hours may become hazardous. Caution should be used during any travel.

SKYWARN spotters are asked to relay all freezing rain, and snowfall reports to the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and the NWS Office in Sterling, VA.

A.L.

Sent on: 01/31 15:21

Sent to Montgomery County Severe Traffic 6am-10am/3pm-8pm, Montgomery County Severe Weather (E-mail accounts, Pagers, Cell phones) through Alert Montgomery

Use Extreme Caution When Driving and Walking

Montgomery County officials are urging residents to use extreme caution when driving and walking, since visibility is still limited by large snow banks, and some sidewalks are still hidden under mounds of ice and snow.


- Drivers should watch for pedestrians in the roadway, particularly at night when visibility is more difficult. Other safety tips for drivers include:

- Slow down and obey the posted speed limit.

- Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections- it's the law ( http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/DOT/dir/pedsafety/documents/md_ped_law.pdf )

- Don't block crosswalks when stopping at intersections.

- Take extra care around schools, playgrounds, and neighborhoods.

- Always look out for pedestrians, especially before turning at a green light or making a "right turn on red."

- Obey signs, signals and markings--and never run red lights.

- Be careful when passing stopped vehicles. They might be stopping for pedestrians.

- Share the road. It is your responsibility to look out for others.

Pedestrians who have to walk in the street because there may not be an accessible sidewalk following the past week’s record-breaking snowfall should walk facing traffic so they can see the vehicles coming toward them. Other pedestrian safety tips include:

- Stay visible after dark and in bad weather with reflectors or retroreflective clothing.

- Cross the street at marked crosswalks and intersections whenever possible.

- Stop and look every time before crossing streets, even when you have the right-of-way, and especially at intersections with “right turn on red.”

- Before crossing, look left, right, then left again, and over your shoulder for turning vehicles.

- Begin crossing the street on “Walk” signals – never on a solid or flashing “Don’t Walk.”