RALEIGH – With Hurricane Joaquin still over the Atlantic Ocean but possibly heading for the North Carolina coast, N.C. Department of Transportation maintenance crews in Division 5, which includes Wake, Durham, Franklin, Vance, Person, Granville and Warren counties, are getting ready to deal with any damage that heavy rain and high winds may bring.
Each county has its own DOT maintenance yard, and workers have been checking and loading their equipment, such as chain saws and backhoes, to make sure they are all operating correctly. They have also been packing up road closed and other traffic control signs that may be needed should roadways become flooded or fallen trees block them off.
Crews are also getting schedules adjusted as workers may be putting in very long hours during the weekend and into next week, depending on the extent of any damage. Some workers will also be on standby to head toward the western part of the state if heavy rain in that area causes flooding and mudslides.
This kind of storm often brings flash flooding, which in turn means dangerous driving conditions. Area residents are urged to use common sense, starting with not going out on the roads during the storm unless they have to, and if they do, to use extra care and precaution:
- Allow more travel time and make sure your tires and brakes in good working condition;
- Reduce your speed and drive defensively. Motorists should drive at least five to 10 miles per hour slower on wet pavement and allow at least twice the normal following distance between cars to provide ample room for stopping. Be ready for a sudden stop. Remember that the driver behind you cannot see well either in the rain. Signal for turns ahead of time and brake early as you near a stop. Be patient and do not pass lines of traffic;
- Roads are the slickest once rain has begun to fall. For the first 10 to 15 minutes, the rain combines with dirt, dust, oil, grease and rubber to create a slippery surface. If the rain is extremely heavy, stop and pull over with your emergency flashers on, away from any trees or other tall objects. If motorists must exit the vehicle, they should do so on the passenger side of the car;
- Turn on your low beam headlights and use the defroster to increase visibility whether it is day or night. North Carolina law states that motorists must use their headlights at all times while using windshield wipers, regardless of the time of day;
- Do not drive through flooded areas. If you see a flooded roadway ahead, turn around and take an alternate route to your destination. If there is no alternate route, head to higher ground and wait for the water to subside. Do not attempt to cross over a flooded road even if it seems shallow. Just one foot of water can float many vehicles, while two feet of rushing water can carry away vehicles including SUVs and pick-ups;
- After driving through a puddle, tap your brake pedal to help dry your brake rotors;
- Do not drive if you are tired or distracted. Driving in wet weather requires you to be alert, particularly at night. If you are tired, pull off the road to a safe place and take a break, or better yet, postpone your trip. You should also avoid eating, drinking, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio, or handing items to children in the back seat – anything requiring you to take one or both hands off the steering wheel momentarily;
- Know what to do if your car begins to hydroplane. Hydroplaning occurs when your tires glide across the surface of the water on the road. If your car starts to hydroplane, take your foot off the gas, but do not stomp on the brakes. Instead, apply the brakes in a steady, slightly firm manner, and steer in the direction of the skid. If you have a manual transmission (i.e. stick shift), push in the clutch and let the car slow down on its own. If you have an automatic transmission, hold the steering wheel steady and lightly apply the brakes. For cars that have antilock brakes, you should apply more pressure (steady) to the brakes, but avoid pumping them; and
- Put together a supply kit for your trunk. Include a flashlight, first aid kit with an instructional manual, blanket, booster cables, shovel, sand to give tires needed traction, snacks and drinking water, and safety flares or an orange or red cloth to tie to the antenna.
NCDOT will provide real-time information about weather and travel conditions through its Twitter feed, @NCDOT, as well as its Triangle-area feed, @NCDOT_Triangle. Information will also be available in the traveler information section of the NCDOT website.