Published on Monday, April 25, 2005
in the Naples Daily News

Troopers' stickers

With the hurricane and rainy season approaching, some readers may be curious about new decals on Florida Highway Patrol vehicles. These decals were introduced last month, and the Division of Florida Highway Patrol Office provides the following information:

The Florida Highway Patrol is joining other state and federal agencies in promoting a new campaign that tells motorists who come to a flooded road to: "Turn Around, Don't Drown."

Last year, this slogan was frequently repeated by Gov. Jeb Bush and Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings in news conferences during the four hurricanes that menaced the state.

With the exception of heat-related fatalities, more deaths occur from flooding every year than from any other hazard, and that's because people fail to realize the power of water. As little as six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock you off your feet.

National Weather Service data show that the number of fatalities varies dramatically with weather conditions from year to year. The national 30-year average for flood deaths is 127. That compares with a 30-year average of 73 deaths for lightning, 65 for tornados, and 16 for hurricanes.

Nearly half of all flash-flood fatalities are vehicle-related.

Most flash-floods are caused by slow-moving thunderstorms that move repeatedly over the same area, or by heavy rains from tropical storms and hurricanes. These floods can develop within minutes, depending on the intensity and duration of rain, the topography, soil conditions, and ground cover.

So when in doubt, "Turn Around, Don't Drown."