Flood dynamics — Oklahoma Permit Test

Most vehicles will be swept away by less than 2 feet (24 inches) of running water.

Moving water pushes hard on the side of a car and lifts it, so it can carry the car off the road.

Most vehicles will be swept away by less than 2 feet (24 inches) of running water.

Remember that 6 inches of water may be enough to cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

Even shallow water can lift the tires off the road so the car no longer steers or brakes.

Observe any water level indicators at low-water crossings, remembering that 6 inches of water may be enough to cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

For each foot that flood water rises, 500 pounds of lateral force are applied to a stalled car.

The force grows with each foot of water, so a car that looks safe in shallow water can be shoved away as it rises.

For each foot the water rises, 500 pounds of lateral force are applied to the car.

For each foot the water rises, a car displaces 1,500 pounds of water, so in effect it weighs 1,500 pounds less.

As the car gets lighter, the tires lose their grip on the road and the car starts to float.

For each foot the water rises, the car displaces 1,500 pounds of water.

Flood water typically flows downstream at 6 to 12 miles an hour, and when a vehicle stalls in it, the water’s momentum is transferred to the car.

Water moving at that speed pushes on a stalled car like a constant shove, which is why cars are carried off.

Water weighs about 62.4 pounds per cubic foot and typically flows downstream at 6 to 12 miles an hour.

Most vehicles will be swept away by running water less than how deep?

2 feet. Moving water pushes hard on the side of a car and lifts it, so it can carry the car off the road. Oklahoma Driver Manual, p.62: “Most vehicles will be swept away by less than 2 feet (24 inches) of running water.”