GREENSBORO, N.C. — The National Weather Service in Raleigh says showers and thunderstorms will most likely hit the Triad region on Thursday, mainly between 2pm and 5pm.
Some storms could be severe, with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain.
The severe weather can bring hazardous road conditions for drivers, including slick or flooded roadways.
Driving in perfect weather might already be hard enough, especially for young or inexperienced drivers.
But, when severe weather strikes, you have to take extra precautions.
The U.S. Department of Transportation says there are more than five million vehicle crashes each year.
About 21 percent of those crashes are weather-related.
Statistics also show nearly five thousand people are killed in crashes each year due to bad weather.
Most of those crashes happen on wet pavement.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation provides the following tips for driving in heavy rain and flash flooding:
- First, stay off the roads. If you must drive, be sure your tires and brakes are in good working condition.
- Allow yourself more time to get where you're going. Drive at least 5 to 10 mph slower than the speed limit on wet pavement.
- Stay alert and be ready for sudden stops. Allow at least twice the normal following distance between vehicles.
- Signal for turns and brake earlier than usual as you near a turn or stop.
- Be patient and do not pass lines of traffic.
- Turn on your headlights, as required by North Carolina law, while using your windshield wipers – regardless of the time of day.
- Turn on your low-beam headlights and use the defroster to increase visibility – regardless of whether it is day or night. High beams, or "brights," could reflect off fog and decrease visibility.
- Avoid driving through pools of standing water – even if they seem shallow. Water could be covering road hazards, such as holes, fallen power lines or debris.
- Also avoid flooded areas. A foot of water, for example, can cause vehicles to float, while 2 feet of rushing water can carry away vehicles, including SUVs and pick-up trucks.
- If your vehicle begins to hydroplane – when your tires glide across the surface of water on a road – take your foot off the gas and apply the brakes in a steady, slightly firm manner (don't stomp on them). Then steer in the direction of the skid.
- For manual transmissions, push in the clutch and let the vehicle slow down on its own.
- For automatic transmissions, hold the steering wheel steady and lightly apply the brakes.
- For vehicles with antilock brakes, apply more steady pressure to the brakes, but avoid pumping them.
