Meteorologists are predicting heavy rains and thunderstorms for Texas this week, including New Braunfels, San Marcos, and Seguin.

While it’s best for you and your family to be inside your house or a strong building, sometimes storms come earlier than expected and catch people in vulnerable places. Here are 5 things to keep in mind if you get caught Driving in a thunderstorm.

Plan Ahead

If you are concerned about getting stuck in a thunderstorm while on the Road, look at the forecast and plan ahead. If you need to drop the kiddos off earlier to beat the storm, or if you need to pick them up earlier, make arrangements to do so.

It’s much more important to keep your family safe, so if the weather is expected to be unpredictable and your route includes many low-water crossings, you may consider taking the day off if your employer allows you to do so.

Remain Calm

If you’re driving when a thunderstorm rolls in, remain calm. It’s easier said than done when rain is blowing sideways and thunder is reverberating through the car, but it’s important that you stay focused on the road.

Pull Over & Wait

The best thing to do if you’re caught in a thunderstorm when driving is to pull over onto the shoulder and wait the storm out. Being late far outweighs putting yourself and others at risk. Wet roads and windy conditions make drivers more vulnerable to car accidents, especially when someone is speeding in hazardous conditions.

• Choose a safe place to pull over; don’t choose a place where water is collecting or quickly flowing
• Keep your hazard lights on to alert drivers that you’re stopped
• Make sure all of your windows are completely rolled up and sealed

What if lightning strikes my car?

If you hear thunder, Lightning is striking nearby. Rubber tires do not protect the passengers in a Vehicle from lightning. A steel-framed, hard-topped vehicle provides protection against lightning strikes; convertibles and soft-topped vehicles provide much less protection but are still a safer option than being outside of a vehicle.

For the best safety measures, turn off your vehicle (keeping the hazard lights on) and put your hands in your lap. Avoid touching door handles, the steering wheel, the gear shift, and any metal parts inside your vehicle.

After the Storm

Once the storm has passed, take a route that you know contains no low-water crossings. Do not attempt to cross a road that is flooding with water. It takes only about 6 inches to reach the bottom of most vehicles and 12 inches to float a car.

If you see any power lines that have been knocked down, contact authorities as soon as possible so the power can be shut off. Never drive over power lines; they could be live or they could get caught in your vehicle’s wheels.

Keep these tips in mind to protect your family and yourself on the road during a storm. Reckless drivers can cause even more havoc on roads that are flowing with water. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contact the Kyle Law Firm servicing the San Marcos, New Braunfels, and Seguin, Texas areas for a free initial consultation. We are dedicated to providing you with the best legal counsel and advice.

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