Metro fire departments urge caution ahead of Flash Flood threats; How to stay safe

On Wednesday, Metro Fire Departments put out warnings to residents about staying safe in flash flood events. 

The warnings come after a mother and child in Moore lost their lives in floodwaters over the weekend. 

Oklahoma City Fire Department said calls spike during rain events, with the department receiving 15 calls in just three hours on Saturday night. 

In a video captured by News 9, cars can be seen on video driving around emergency vehicles into floodwaters. 

“When you have roads being blocked by signage, police cars, firetrucks, don’t go around them. Don’t go beyond them. They’re blocking the roads for a reason,” said Moore Fire Chief Ryan Marlar. 

Flash flooding is dangerous, and the Moore Fire Department said even people who try to turn around can get caught in the mess. 

"You would be surprised at the shallowness that is capable of lifting up a lower-riding vehicle and moving it. Water is very powerful,” said Marlar. 

Oklahoma City Fire Department said as little as six inches of water has the power to sweep a car downstream. 

"And the water is very deceiving at times, where it doesn't really look like it's moving that fast and it's moving very rapidly,” Marlar explained. 

If you find yourself losing control of your vehicle in floodwaters, “First off, we don't want to see anybody getting in these positions. If your car starts to move, call us, let us be your first call,” said Scott Douglas, Public Information Officer at the Oklahoma City Fire Department. 

“You want to stay inside your car as long as you can, but if your car is being moved downstream, if you feel unsafe, go ahead and get yourself to the top of the vehicle," Douglas added. 

There are plenty of reasons the fire departments said not to gamble with flood waters: the first and foremost being — your safety. 

“That water can flood your engine and destroy your vehicle,” Douglas warned.