Severe Rain or Floods
Heavy rainfall can quickly make driving dangerous – from slippery roads to not being able to see very far in front of you. If you get caught in a storm, remember your hazard lights and know when you need to pull over to a safe spot. If you cannot clearly see the road or road signs and signal, pull over to a safe location and leave your hazard lights on. Listen to the weather report and get to a safe location if the weather is predicted to get worse.
After a heavy rain, be aware of flooding in the area and avoid roads that may be covered in water. NEVER drive through flood waters—the water could be deeper than it appears. Six inches of water can cause you to lose control of your car, and a foot of water can sweep most cars away. Turn around, don’t drown! There are more rain driving tips and information below.
Tornado
If there is a possibility of tornadoes in your area, avoid driving. The last place you want to be in a tornado is in a motor vehicle. Cars, buses and trucks are easily tossed by tornado winds. Do NOT try to outrun a tornado in your car. If a tornado watch or warning is issued in your area while you are in your car, immediately find a building to take shelter. If you see a tornado, stop your vehicle and get to a secure location, low to the ground and protected from flying debris if possible. Do not get under your vehicle.
Earthquakes
If you are in your car during an earthquake, stop quickly and safely. If possible, move your car away from the shoulder or curb, avoid stopping on or under an overpass and move away from utility poles and overhead wires. Remain in your car and set your parking break. Your car may shake violently on its shocks, but it is a good place to remain until the shaking stops. If a power line falls on your car, call 911 or an emergency line for help, and stay inside until a trained person removes the wire. Also, tune in to your local radio station for emergency broadcast information on possible aftershocks and road damage caused by the earthquake. When driving after an earthquake watch for hazards, such as breaks in the pavement, downed utility poles and wires, rising water levels, fallen overpasses, and collapsed bridges.
Extreme Heat
Cars can get hot very quickly, especially if they are sitting in the sun. During a very hot day and even with the windows open, interior temperatures can rise significantly when a car is parked. Anyone left inside a car when an area is experiencing extreme heat is at risk for serious heat-related illnesses or even death. Children and pets that are left unattended in parked cars are at greatest risk for health related illness. Never leave infants, children, older adults or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open. When leaving your car, check to be sure everyone is out of the car.
Take all the precautions you can to ensure you get to your destination safely, and never attempt to drive through dangerous travel conditions. Bad weather can strike unexpectedly, so be prepared by staying informed and having an emergency kit in your car.
Rain can reduce or impair your view of the road, the Nevada Department of Transportation points out. Combined with reduced tire traction on wet roadways, “It’s easy to see that driving in the rain needs to be treated with extra caution.”
Only drive in heavy rain when necessary, Nevada DOT advises, and always leave extra time to safely reach your destination. In addition, be sure to dry the soles of your shoes after getting into your vehicle when it’s raining, because they can slide from the pedals while you’re driving.
Other recommendations include:
- Turn on your headlights to see and be seen.
- Be aware of and avoid flooded areas – never attempt to cross running or flooded water.
- Reduce your speed. Speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not rainy conditions.
- Defrost windows before and while driving, if necessary.
- Use your wipers. Many states require their use in rain or snow.
- Keep a safe distance from other vehicles, leaving more space on wet roads.
- Turn off your cruise control to reduce the risk of hydroplaning.
- Brake earlier and with less force than you would in normal driving conditions. Also, slow down when turning.
Finally, if you have difficulty seeing the roadway and/or other vehicles when it’s raining, pull off the road to a safe location until conditions improve.
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Clever Journeys 
All true and to be aware of. When I was about 5, my folks took me to the Cowtown Drive-In theater in Fort Worth. A big storm came in; massive lightning and the wind picked up. As we were leaving, my dad was sure a Tornado had hit the place. Our car was blown into a bar ditch and was airborne for a few seconds. It was all surreal because the movie we saw was The Creature From The Black Lagoon. Add that to the storm, and it’s a wonder I didn’t need a psychiatrist at a young age.
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Quite the experience! Glad you and your family survived that Back to the Future moment.
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I didn’t speak for hours, whcih my parents said was odd because I constantly talked. It was reported in the Fort Worth Press that it was likely a tornado that damaged the screen and blew away a few patrons. The movie scared me more than the storm. I wouldn’t go near a stock tank or swimming pool for months.
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Terrifying. Whew!
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