ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – As Helene became a hurricane on Wednesday after strengthening in the Caribbean and moving north along the Mexican coast, the storm is expected to bring large amounts of rain across the southeastern United States , including Georgia, will throw.

This creates a risk of flooding and although Georgia is currently experiencing a drought, flash floods can develop slowly or quickly and come without warning.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, 75% of weather-related vehicle accidents each year occur on wet roads and 47% occur in rain.

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“Although it is strongly discouraged, it is very important to adjust your typical driving style if you must get behind the wheel during the storm,” said Montrae Waiters, spokesman for AAA-The Auto Club Group. “Whether during or after the storm, if you see a flooded road, do not drive through it. Taking risks on a wet road is a no-go; There’s no telling how deep the water is or what’s underneath.”

With just a half-inch of water on the road, tires must displace a gallon of water per second to keep the rubber on the road, according to the AAA. Drivers should reduce their speed depending on the amount of water on the road. At speeds above 56 km/h, new tires can still lose contact with the road.

Just six inches of water can knock a person down, and a foot of water can sweep away a vehicle.

Other safe driving tips in heavy rain and wind:

• Turn on your headlights so you can see better and other drivers can see you better. Avoid using high beams as you may blind other drivers and the extra light will reflect off the rain.
• Always avoid standing water and flooded streets. There is no way to know how deep standing water is on a flooded road, and driving through it could cause the vehicle to stall and cause serious damage to the vehicle by flooding the engine. warping brake discs; loss of power steering; and a short circuit in electrical components.
• If your vehicle stalls in a flooded area, do not remain in your car. Abandon it as quickly as possible and seek higher ground.
• Stay with your vehicle if you become stranded. If the engine can be started, run it only until it stays warm.
• Get on the roof of your car if water starts to rise inside the car.
• If the traffic light is not working due to a power outage, you must stop at the intersection and then continue moving when you know that other turning and oncoming vehicles, bicycles or pedestrians have stopped. A darkened traffic light works just like a one-way street.

According to the hurricane center, Helene is expected to become a major hurricane of Category 3 or higher with winds over 110 miles per hour on Thursday, the day it is expected to reach Florida’s Gulf Coast. The center issued hurricane warnings for part of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and the northwest coast of Florida, where major storm surges of up to 15 feet were expected.

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