‘Turn around, don’t drown’ flood watch tips

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- Muskingum County is under a flood watch until tomorrow evening, expecting one and a half to two inches of rain.

The Zanesville Fire Department is warning people to practice safe driving if the roads are flooded. Alan Graham, a firefighter, said you should adopt the motto: ‘Turn around don’t drown’ meaning if you see a road that may be flooded don’t drive through it. Graham said your car can get stuck and swept away. He said if you do get stuck you want to stay inside of your vehicle.

“So if you get out of your car and there’s moving water and you happen to fall your car might stay there but you’re going to flow downstream. And for the rescuers, it’s easier to come to a car then to try to find you in the middle of the river.”

Graham said there could be debris or a sinkhole that you can’t see. In the event that you are stuck, he said you should be prepared to wait for rescue crews to get to you.

“The biggest thing is just have an emergency kit with you that if something does happen that you can withstand for a little while. Don’t just rely on your cell phone,” said Graham. “If you can any medications that you take have enough for a day or two. Not that you’re going to be stranded in your car for a day or two.”

Graham said you should also have water, snacks, and a blanket in your emergency kit.