July 17, 2024
Driving During Hurricane Season
Hurricane season is upon us, and it’s only getting worse. Truckers traverse the roads rain or shine, and hurricane season can be taxing. Awareness of hurricane season and what to look for is essential to maintaining a steady workflow. Read along to find out when hurricane season is, the damage it can inflict, and current hurricane predictions.
When and What is Hurricane Season?
This year’s Atlantic Hurricane season started June 1st and extends until the end of November. This season is expected to be a doozy, with some storms already coming and passing and others still predicted. Warm weather breeds storms in the Atlantic, and those in the way will feel Mother Nature’s wrath. The NOAA released its named hurricane predictions in May, and we’re already making our way down the alphabet with Tropical Storm Alberto getting our feet wet and Hurricane Beryl coming in at category 5. There are at least 20 more storm predictions for the year. Hopefully, most of them stay small and irrelevant.
It’s not breaking news that hurricanes can leave destruction in their wake. Tropical storms and hurricanes can cause hazards like storm surges, extremely high tides, heavy rainfall, high winds, and dangerous ocean currents. Flooding results from many storms, leading to road closures and even the destruction of essential bridges and passes. Flash flooding can occur in seconds and is sometimes difficult to predict.
Driving During Hurricane Season
Driving in extreme weather isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Whether it’s snow, wind, or rain, learning how to drive in extreme weather will help calm the nerves and give you some knowledge to remember when in tropical storm weather. Storms can cause cell phone signal drops, disrupt GPS systems, and make navigating a nuisance. Knowing how to read a roadmap and picking one up during harsh weather will help with navigation in case technology fails you. Keep an eye on the National Hurricane Center website, which provides up-to-date predictions and identifies areas where storms may form. Maintain vehicle parts and make sure everything is functioning correctly during hurricane season.
Driving During Flooding
The National Weather Service has adopted the “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” motto when approaching a flooded roadway. Even if you can make it, the depth and impact of a flooded roadway are challenging to predict, so don’t risk it; find a way around it.
What happens to your car if you drive through water? If the water is too deep, driving through water can cause many issues. Driving through flooded roads can cause engine stalling, electrical problems, and suspension issues. Tropical storms and hurricanes can cause rises in ocean currents, leading to flooding in coastal towns. Saltwater from ocean currents can be especially damaging to car parts. With the push towards electric trucking increasing, there is an increase in electrical elements that can fail when driving through water. Look for evacuation routes and detours to help get around the most dangerous areas.
Hurricane season can affect us all, especially those who work on the road. Knowing what can happen during these times and how to avoid mishaps will help you get through the season.
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