SOUTH SIOUX CITY, NE -
Siouxland saw rain Wednesday, and with that came a chance for flash flooding; Weather that makes driving dangerous.
If there's water on the roadway, even if it doesn't look very deep or if it seems to be moving slow, there's a good chance you could still get swept away in it even faster than you can react.
Spring is almost at an end and severe weather is one of Siouxland's summer staples.
When those heavy rains fall, you have to watch out for flash flooding.
"It can be extremely dangerous," said Pat Foust, the Emergency Management Director for Dakota County, Nebraska. "People take it for granted and they shouldn't, they try to drive through it, that can be a very big mistake, it can be a fatal mistake."
Those folks in Dakota County, Nebraska are on high alert when severe weather's in the air.
They watch the skies and make sure water isn't on the rise, because when bad weather leaves high water behind, it's best to just stay away.
"Water can be moving rapidly and it can wash a person off their feet, easily wash a bicycle away, and as we know, it can push a car off the road," said Foust.
It's important to keep your cell phone charged, because if you're driving and your car gets surrounded by water you can call 911 for help.
Depending on how quickly the water's rising, it might be a good idea to get out and head for higher ground.
But if you can, look for where the water isn't and drive to safety.
"If it's coming up in front of you, check behind you and use reverse," said Foust.
One last piece of advice for anyone who finds themselves along a flooded roadway.
"Watch where you're going," said Foust. "If it looks like you shouldn't be there, you shouldn't be there."
Never drive through moving water, even if it's only a foot deep.
A small amount of water can still make you lose control of your vehicle.
