Motorists Beware: Cars Vulnerable to Unpredictable Floating Phenomenon

Motorists Beware: Cars Vulnerable to Unpredictable Floating Phenomenon

A powerful storm in New Mexico caused a remarkable sight in October, as drivers had to navigate through “rivers of hail.” The astonishing scene was captured in a video shared by KRQE News 13 chief meteorologist Grant Tosterud on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). The video, filmed by Dorothea Delgado, showed a road covered in debris and a small river filled with hail running alongside it. This footage was recorded in Las Vegas, east of Santa Fe.

The storm was characterized by heavy rain and strong winds, which were so severe that snowplows had to be deployed to clear Interstate 25. The dangerous conditions prompted the driver of the car in the video to express concern, stating, “It’s flooding. I don’t think I can go up this way.” This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety during flooding events, with experts emphasizing the need to turn around and avoid driving through flooded areas. Just one foot of water can sweep a car off a road, and it is often impossible to determine the condition of the road or what lies beneath the water’s surface.

According to the National Weather Service, more deaths occur due to flooding than any other thunderstorm-related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reports that over half of all flood-related drownings happen when vehicles are driven into hazardous floodwaters. Additionally, walking into or near floodwaters ranks as the second-leading cause of death during storm events. People often underestimate the strength and power of water, leading to tragic outcomes.

Motorists should never attempt to bypass barriers on flooded roads. Even a mere six inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult, while just 12 inches can carry away most cars. SUVs and trucks are susceptible to being overwhelmed by just two feet of rushing water. This information is crucial as climate change has contributed to more severe rainfall events. The warming of the planet allows the atmosphere to hold more moisture, resulting in heavier rainfalls.

According to a report by Vox, for every 1-degree Celsius increase in atmospheric temperature, there is a corresponding 7% increase in the amount of water vapor it can hold. Another study published in Nature, as reported by The Associated Press, found that the risk of extreme rainfall increases by 8.3% at higher elevations for every degree Fahrenheit the world warms. Heavy rain in mountainous areas poses significant problems, including flooding, landslides, and erosion. Unlike snowpack, rainfall cannot be conveniently stored and used to replenish reservoirs during spring and summer.

The Environmental Defense Fund highlights the impact of human activities on rainwater flow. The elimination of natural landscape features such as roads, sidewalks, buildings, shipping canals, dams, and certain agricultural practices has hindered the ability of rainwater to be absorbed deeply underground or slowed down across the land. This exacerbates the potential for flooding and other related issues.

In light of these risks, it is important to take cues from cautious drivers like the one in the video, who wisely avoided high water. Commenters on Tosterud’s post shared their own observations, with one individual remarking on the ominous appearance of the dark sky, suggesting that something significant and icy was bound to emerge. Another commenter advised caution, noting that hail is even more slippery than snow and can cause a car to lose control and float uncontrollably.

To stay updated on such news and receive helpful tips to make a positive impact on the planet, readers can subscribe to the free newsletter offered by the news source.

One thought on “Motorists Beware: Cars Vulnerable to Unpredictable Floating Phenomenon

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