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Prepping for a flood (Part 6): In the water

By The SHTF App Team

According to the CDC, over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous floodwater. The second most common cause is walking into or near water.

⚠️ Physics does not care about your truck. A 3,000-pound vehicle can be turned into a boat by just 12 inches of water. Once you lose traction, you are a passenger in a devastatingly violent ride. Survival in these moments is counter-intuitive. Your instinct might be to stay inside the dry car or climb into the attic. These instincts can kill you. By learning the S.W.O. protocol and the Attic Rule, you override panic with a proven survival script.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and should not be considered, professional or emergency-response advice. Always follow the instructions of local authorities during an active flood event.

The Readiness Audit

If your car stalled in rising water right now, what is your first move?

  • 🟢 Green: You have a spring-loaded glass breaker within reach (center console/keychain). You know the “Seatbelt, Window, Out” sequence.
  • 🟡 Yellow: You have a tool, but it’s in the glove box (which might be hard to reach) or trunk. You assume your big SUV can handle “a little water.”
  • 🔴 Red: You plan to open the door to get out, or call 911 while sitting in the trapped car.

If you are Yellow or Red, memorize Phase 1 immediately.

Phase 1: The Vehicle Escape (S.W.O. Protocol)

Goal: Exit the vehicle before it sinks or is swept away.

The Physics of the Trap

  • 6 Inches: Loss of control and stalling.
  • 12 Inches: Most cars will float.
  • 2 Feet: Rushing water will sweep away even large SUVs and Pickups.
  • The Invisible Danger: The roadbed under the water may have washed away completely. You aren’t driving on asphalt, you are driving into a sinkhole.

The Protocol: S.W.O. (Seatbelt, Window, Out)

If your vehicle stalls in water, do not panic. You have about 30-60 seconds of “float time” before the car begins to submerge.

  • S - SEATBELT: Unbuckle immediately. If you have kids, unbuckle them next.
  • W - WINDOW: Open the window.
    • Electric Windows: Usually work for a minute even in water. Try the button first.
    • The Breaker: If the button fails, use a Glass Breaker Tool. Strike the corner of the side window (the weakest point), not the center. Note: This does not work on laminated windshields, only tempered side glass.
  • O - OUT: Climb out the window.
    • The Door Trap: DO NOT try to open the door. The water pressure against the door is thousands of pounds. You cannot open it until the car is filled with water and pressure equalizes (which requires waiting to drown). Do not wait. Go out the window.
    • Kids: Push children out the window first to the roof or higher ground.

Phase 2: Structural Entrapment (The Attic Rule)

Goal: Vertical evacuation without becoming trapped.

If your home floods rapidly, you must move up.

  • The Danger: The water rises higher than expected. People retreat to the attic to stay dry. The water reaches the roofline. They are now trapped in a confined space with rising water and no exit. This is a common cause of death in major hurricanes.
  • The Rule: Do not enter a closed attic unless you have a way out.
  • The Fix:
    • Take a heavy tool (Fire Axe, Sledgehammer, or Saw) with you to cut through the roof.
    • Better yet, go to a balcony or a window that opens onto a roof section outside the structure.

Phase 3: Moving Water Hazards (The Invisible Current)

Goal: Navigate the water without getting swept away or electrocuted.

1. Electrical Charge

  • The Threat: “Stray Voltage.” Downed power lines or submerged underground boxes can electrify the water. There is no warning sign.
  • The Sign: If you step in water and feel a tingling sensation, STOP. Do not move forward. Shuffle-step backward or hop back on one foot to break the circuit.

2. Debris and Bacteria

  • The Threat: Floodwater is a toxic slurry of sewage, chemicals, and sharp debris (glass, metal).
  • The Fix: Never walk barefoot. Wear sturdy boots. If you have an open wound exposed to floodwater, clean it immediately to prevent sepsis.

The “Essential Kit” Checklist

  • The Rescue Tool: A spring-loaded glass breaker/seatbelt cutter (like a Resqme tool) attached to the rearview mirror or gear shift of every car.
  • The Axe: A heavy tool stored on the top floor of your home (for roof egress).
  • The Flotation: Life jackets (PFDs) stored in an accessible closet (not the basement).
  • The Footwear: Sturdy boots kept by the bed or in the Go-Bag.

The Scenario Planner (Contingencies)

Murphy’s Law Variation 1: “I have a baby in a car seat and the car is sinking.”

  • The Trap: Trying to get the car seat out.
  • The Fix: Leave the Seat. Follow S.W.O. Unbuckle yourself. Climb into the back. Unbuckle the child from the harness. Leave the bulky car seat behind. Push the child out the window to the roof of the car, then follow.

Murphy’s Law Variation 2: “The car is sinking nose-first.”

  • The Trap: The engine weight pulls the front down.
  • The Fix: Move to the Back. The air pocket will migrate to the highest point (usually the rear window/trunk area). Move there to breathe while you work on breaking the rear side windows.

Next: Read Part 7: Safe Re-Entry to learn how to win the race against mold after the water recedes.