Hurricane Ian is forecast to bring heavy rain to the Orlando area this week, and American Medical Response (AMR) is reminding drivers and others to avoid rising water.
AMR encourages Orlando residents to be safe and follow The National Weather Service’s warning message, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown®.”
Follow these safety rules, especially as heavy rain impacts Florida:
- If flooding occurs, get to higher ground – stay away from flood-prone areas, including dips, low spots, valleys, ditches, washes, etc.
- Avoid flooded areas or those with rapid water flow – do not attempt to cross a flowing stream. It takes only six inches of fast-flowing water to sweep you off your feet
- Don’t allow children to play near high water, storm drains or ditches – hidden dangers could lie beneath the water
- Flooded roads could have significant damage hidden by floodwaters – NEVER drive through floodwaters or on flooded roads. Most vehicles can float away in only two feet of water.
- Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washouts, particularly when threatening conditions exist
- Be especially cautious when driving at night as it is harder to recognize flood dangers
- Monitor NOAA Weather Radio or your local media for vital weather-related information
Each year more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other severe weather hazard. The Centers for Disease Control report that more than half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous floodwater. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near floodwaters.
American Medical Response is a leading provider of medical transportation and provides services in 40 states and the District of Columbia with more than 28,000 AMR paramedics, EMTs, RNs and other professionals and transporting more than 4.8 million patients nationwide each year in critical, emergency and non-emergency situations.
More information on flood safety is available through the National Weather Service.
