[C]umbria County Council has issued safety advice to drivers following yesterday’s heavy rainfall which caused flooding on parts of the county’s road network, and in advance of more heavy rain forecast for tomorrow.
‘If you can’t see the road, don’t try to drive through it’ – that’s the advice to motorists if they come across a flooded road while they are driving.
Flooding can sometimes occur because water has surged up through the drains, dislodging manhole covers and leaving drains uncovered.
“If someone attempts to drive or walk through flood water on the road, they risk serious injury and/or damage to their vehicle because these uncovered drains aren’t visible below the water,” said a county council spokesperson.
“We would urge people not to consider driving through floodwater, but instead find an alternative route or wait until the water has receded and it becomes safe to drive. Walking or driving in flood water puts your safety at unnecessary risk, and if you do get into difficulties it is also creates a risk for emergency services.”
Anyone who becomes aware of flood water on the highway should report it immediately to the county council, either through the council’s dedicated online system – cumbria.gov.uk/reportahighwayfault/ – or by calling the Highways Hotline on 0300 303 2992.
“We want people to tell us about flooding – and other issues – on the highway, and would encourage everyone to report them to us as soon as possible. For flooding, if you’re able to send photos showing the extent of the flood, that will help us to assess the scale of the problem so we can prioritise it,” added the spokesperson.
