Transportation After a Storm

Roads and transportation can be extremely dangerous after a hurricane. Please follow these tips to stay safe. 

• If you happen to come across powerlines on your vehicle, do not stop. Continue to drive away from the powerline. 
• If the engine starts to stall, do not turn off your ignition. 
• Do not get out of your vehicle if your car comes to a stop due to engine failure, instead, wait patiently for first responders. 
• Advise people around you (if possible) that your car may be charged with the current from the powerline and advise they stay away from your car. Only allow first responders to come close to your vehicle while advising them of the current situation. 
• If traffic signals are not working or malfunctioning, please make sure to observe 4-way stop conditions at each and every intersection you come across.
• Call 311 to report damaged traffic signs, signals or streetlights.
• Depending on the situation or if the state is under an emergency order, highway tolls may be lifted to decrease the traffic congestion in post hurricane conditions. 
• If your car is parked in a flooded situation or is in deep water, do not start your vehicle as it may cause serious damage to your vehicle. 
• Avoid driving through standing water as much as possible. Standing water can conceal many hazards which could damage your vehicle in a number of ways. 
• After driving through a large puddle or standing water, light pad your brakes in order to dry them. Wet brakes do not slow down a vehicle efficiently. 
• Do not drive under a fallen tree. These trees are extremely unstable and may pose an even greater risk to you when driving under it. 
• Watch out for pedestrians on the roads. Many people are out in the streets assessing their properties and/or outside due to a power outage. Please exercise extreme caution at all times when driving after a storm. 
• In order to keep you and your family safe after a storm, only drive if it is absolutely necessary to avoid having the streets occupied during the recovery process.