The storm this morning has flooded multiple roads and the Sturgeon Bay Police Department asks drivers to be cautious and try to avoid flooded areas. The pictures are of 14th Avenue and Georgia by Thunderhill Estates and Evenson Laundry. There was also flooding when coming off Michigan Street Bridge and 1st Avenue.
Vehicle expenses going through flooded waters:
· Have the fluids checked, maybe change the oil, have a
look at the transmission to see if it looks like strawberry milk; if it gets
water in it, it turns pink.
· An oil change costing $35. Driving with water in the
engine can ruin it. If your car stalled out, do not try to restart it.
· Some cars will have damaged the engine because the motor
will suck water into it and lock it up and bend the rod.
· Flushing out an engine and other parts can run a couple
of hundred dollars.
· If the water got inside the car and soaked the carpet,
expect to pay close to a thousand dollars to get things dried out and running
again.
Take extra precautions if you're forced to
drive through water:
If no alternate route exists and you have no other
reasonable alternative but to drive through standing water.
- Do your best
to estimate the depth of the water (if other cars are driving through,
take note of how deep the water is).
- Drive slowly
and steadily through the water.
- Avoid driving
in water that downed electrical or power lines have fallen in — electric
current passes through water easily.
- Watch for
items traveling downstream — they can trap or crush you if you're in their
path.
- If you have
driven through water up to the wheel rims or higher, test your brakes on a
clear patch of road at low speed. If they are wet and not stopping the
vehicle as they should, dry them by pressing gently on the brake pedal
with your left foot while maintaining speed with your right foot.
- Stay off the
telephone unless you must report severe injuries.
- If your
vehicle stalls in the deep water, you may need to restart the engine to
make it to safety. Keep in mind that restarting may cause irreparable
damage to the engine.
- If you can't
restart your vehicle and you become trapped in rising water, immediately
abandon it for higher ground. Try to open the door or roll down the window
to get out of the vehicle. If you are unable to get out safely, call 911
or get the attention of a passerby or someone standing on higher ground so
that they may call for help.
