Visalia Issued Several Flood Warnings; Take Proper Driving Precautions

By Ayla Ozturk

VISALIA, CA— On Friday, March 10, 2023, Visalians were issued several flood warnings, including flash floods.

Visalians have likely noticed the heavy rain and Redwood Rangers the deep puddles on campus.

Mill Creek, which runs aside Redwood High School’s campus, has been filling up and has the potential to flood.

California is experiencing the effects of another atmospheric river.

Due to the geographical location of Visalia, flash floods of melted snow and rain from the Sierra Nevada region are likely.

For more information on forecasts and weather events, visit the National Weather Service website.

Please take proper precautions when driving.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 75% of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on wet pavement, and 47% of them during rainfall.

Nearly 5,700 are killed, and more than 544,700 people are injured in crashes on wet pavement every year.

Over 3,400 people are killed, and over 357,300 are injured in crashes during rainfall. 

Hydroplaning occurs when the water builds up in front of tires faster than it’s pushed away. This causes the water to be in between your tires and the roadway.

To prevent hydroplaning, it is recommended to:

• Keep your tires properly inflated
• Rotate and replace tires when necessary
• Slow down when roads are wet: the faster you drive, the harder it is for your tires to scatter the water
• Stay away from puddles and standing water
• Avoid driving in outer lanes where water tends to accumulate
• Try to drive in the tire tracks left by the cars in front of you
• Turn off the cruise control
• Drive in a lower gear
• Avoid hard braking
• Try not to make sharp or quick turns

To recover from hydroplaning:

1. Take your foot off of the accelerator immediately
2. Gently turn your steering wheel in the direction you are hydroplaning
3. Wait to feel the tires reconnect with the road
4. Pull over to calm down

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