H2O International event scheduled for weekend despite flooding
Rainy conditions can be dangerous, especially if you plan on driving, furthermore if you drive a car close to the ground. That’s the potential predicament for the H2O International event this weekend, which brings low-rider cars from all over to Whaleyville.
Chris Cropper of Cropper’s Towing has made his fair share of car rescues from flooded roads. With the H2O International happening this weekend, he says staying off of flooded roads is especially important for cars that are going to the event, which are known to be low to the ground.
Cropper tells 47 ABC, “It’s very dangerous.” Cropper says Driving through high waters can actually hydro-lock the engine which can ruin the combustion of the motor, ultimately costing people a whole new engine. Cropper says, “Especially with vehicles being lower all it takes is a little bit of water they suck it up through the air box and they’re done. Streets flood at high tide let alone 8 inches of rain.”
Cropper says his company received about 17 calls on Thursday, which is normal in these conditions. Cropper tells 47 ABC, “We’ll be busy throughout the weekend with the commercial side of it with trucks being stuck, it’s calling for a lot of wind and high rain along with the flooding in Ocean City.”
AAA Mid-Atlantic is also advising drivers to take caution. 47 ABC spoke with Ragina Cooper Averella of AAA Mid-Atlantic and she says, “Your car can be swept away very easily in what appears to be a small amount of water so we really encourage motorists to stay away from flooded roadways, if it’s really raining bad, the best advice is to stay off the road.”
Averella says even if you think your car can make it through, stay away from standing waters. “No matter how shallow the water may appear it may be concealing downed power lines and certainly may be deeper than it appears.”
Other tips, don’t tailgate. In fact you should increase your following distance and while you’re at it, it might help to stay in the center lane, which is often less flooded. And regardless of water level, be aware of hydroplaning. Averella tells 47 ABC, “No car is immune from hydroplaning on wet surfaces, sometimes we see that both in heavy rains as well as in the snow the overconfidence if you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle, unfortunately they can hydroplane just like a smaller car.”
Other tips that AAA gives, slow down, brake early and know your car, as other cars are lighter than others and are more bound to be pushed around by high winds. But no matter what size the vehicle, the general advice is, if you don’t have to go out on the roads, stay home.
