Motorist Alert: Loudoun Officials Warn of Hazardous Driving Conditions

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — With a flash flood watch announced by the National Weather Service for our region through Wednesday, Sept. 30, Loudoun County public safety officials remind everyone to be aware of the force and power of water.

According to a Loudoun County Government announcement:

Keep children inside and away from streams, creeks, drainage channels and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain.

In addition, many deaths occur in automobiles as people and their vehicles are swept downstream. Many of these drownings are preventable, but too many people continue to drive even if the roads are flooded. When water is across the roadway, you cannot always determine the depth of the water or the condition of the road under the water. Six inches of moving water can knock a person down and a mere two feet of water can move a large vehicle such as a bus.

Whether you are driving or walking, if you come to a flooded road, stop. Do not cross the road. Do not drive around a barricade. Turn around immediately and find an alternate route.

Turn around. Don’t drown!

Also, in anticipation of possible power outages, now is a good time to charge mobile devices and to have a supply of working batteries and flashlights on hand. If you lose power, use only flashlights for emergency lighting; candles can cause fires.

Links to important safety, traffic and weather information also can be found at www.loudoun.gov/flood.