Driving in Fog - Safety Tips

The below is from Weather.com and I thought it appropriate for this mornings commute. Stay Safe - Bill

Fog can be thought of as a cloud at ground level. It forms when the temperature drops to the dew point (the temperature at which air is saturated), and invisible water vapor in the air condenses to form suspended water droplets. Fog can reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less, creating hazardous driving conditions. If you can't postpone your trip until dense fog lifts -- usually by late morning or the afternoon -- follow these tips:

* Drive with lights on low beam. High beams will only be reflected back off the fog and actually impair visibility even more.

* Reduce your speed -- and watch your speedometer. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding.

* Listen for traffic you cannot see. Open your window a little, to hear better.

* Use wipers and defrosters as necessary for maximum visibility.

* Use the right edge of the road or painted road markings as a guide.

* Be patient. Do not pass lines of traffic.

* Do not stop on a freeway or heavily traveled road. If your car stalls or becomes disabled, turn your vehicle's lights off, and take your foot off of the brake pedal. People tend to follow tail lights when driving in fog. Move away from the vehicle to avoid injury.

Sources: National Weather Service, Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Inclement Weather Driving

I thought I would pass along some great tips I found on the Triple A Mid-Atlantic web site. The tips are related to driving though they also go into other important areas such as having an emergency kit for your car as well as inclement weather driving vehicle maintenance checklist.

Go here to learn more: Inclement Weather Driving

So please take a moment to review and prepare. Let’s not have you or your loved ones meet our fire and rescue personnel by “accident” any time soon!

Stay Safe,

Bill

Driving in Fog - Safety Tips

The below is from Weather.com and I thought it appropriate for this mornings commute. Stay Safe - Bill

Fog can be thought of as a cloud at ground level. It forms when the temperature drops to the dew point (the temperature at which air is saturated), and invisible water vapor in the air condenses to form suspended water droplets. Fog can reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less, creating hazardous driving conditions. If you can't postpone your trip until dense fog lifts -- usually by late morning or the afternoon -- follow these tips: * Drive with lights on low beam. High beams will only be reflected back off the fog and actually impair visibility even more. * Reduce your speed -- and watch your speedometer. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding. * Listen for traffic you cannot see. Open your window a little, to hear better. * Use wipers and defrosters as necessary for maximum visibility. * Use the right edge of the road or painted road markings as a guide. * Be patient. Do not pass lines of traffic. * Do not stop on a freeway or heavily traveled road. If your car stalls or becomes disabled, turn your vehicle's lights off, and take your foot off of the brake pedal. People tend to follow tail lights when driving in fog. Move away from the vehicle to avoid injury. Sources: National Weather Service, Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Driving in Fog - Safety Tips

The below is from Weather.com and I thought it appropriate for this mornings commute.

Stay Safe - Bill

Fog can be thought of as a cloud at ground level. It forms when the temperature drops to the dew point (the temperature at which air is saturated), and invisible water vapor in the air condenses to form suspended water droplets. Fog can reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less, creating hazardous driving conditions. If you can't postpone your trip until dense fog lifts -- usually by late morning or the afternoon -- follow these tips: * Drive with lights on low beam. High beams will only be reflected back off the fog and actually impair visibility even more. * Reduce your speed -- and watch your speedometer. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding. * Listen for traffic you cannot see. Open your window a little, to hear better. * Use wipers and defrosters as necessary for maximum visibility. * Use the right edge of the road or painted road markings as a guide. * Be patient. Do not pass lines of traffic. * Do not stop on a freeway or heavily traveled road. If your car stalls or becomes disabled, turn your vehicle's lights off, and take your foot off of the brake pedal. People tend to follow tail lights when driving in fog. Move away from the vehicle to avoid injury. Sources: National Weather Service, Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Flooding Possible - Are You Ready? Tips and List of Roads That Flood.

Turn Around - Don’t Drown! Many Roads in Montgomery County Susceptible to Flooding so Consider Alternate Routes Beforehand!

County residents are urged to be alert to changing weather conditions and should be prepared for possible flash flooding later today through early tomorrow as a storm system is expected to bring heavy rains.

When it rains heavily, there may be flash floods, flood warnings and flood watches issued. Flash floods more often occur in mountain streams, hilly areas or low-lying areas. But they do happen in urban and suburban areas like Montgomery County, as well. Flash floods can occur even though it's not raining where you are. It may be raining hard farther upstream and raining so hard that the water cannot be absorbed into the ground.

Safety Tips:

If a flash flood warning is issued, act immediately. Don't wait for high water to dictate your course of action.

Know your location when you are driving. If you needed rescue, would you be able to direct emergency crews to your location? Distracted driving can lead to a situation where you are stranded and unable to direct emergency crews to you. Be alert!

Never drive through a flooded road or bridge. Turn Around - Don’t Drown and try an alternate route! In many cases, it takes far less than a foot of water to incapacitate a vehicle. It may stall, leaving you stranded, and depending on the level of water, you may not be able to open a vehicle door. Do not underestimate the power of moving water.

Watch for flooding at bridges and dips in the road. Never drive where water is over bridges or roads. Turn around - Don’t Drown! The bridges or the road could suddenly be washed out. If you're driving at night be especially careful. Often visibility is limited due to wind and rain.

Often what you can't see below the surface of the water is far more dangerous than the high levels of that water. Remember that rocks, tree limbs and other debris can be caught in moving water and can be dangerous if you are forced to walk, wade or swim through flood waters.

If you have to walk or wade through flood water, use a stick to poke the ground in front of you with each step. It can help you determine water levels, the bottom surface and the safest possible way to get to higher ground.

Remember that flash floods can come without warning, and sometimes without weather. Be alert and heed all warnings and recommendations from officials. From FEMA's website, some further information about driving through flooded roadways:

Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.

A foot of water will float many vehicles.

Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV's) and pick-ups!

TURN AROUND - DON’T DROWN and try an alternate route!

ROADS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY SUBJECT TO PERIODIC FLOODING:

DOWN-COUNTY AREAS

MD 29 (Columbia Pike) at Paint Branch - N. of White Oak
MD 185 (Conn. Ave) at Rock Creek - S. of Kensington
MD 190 (River Road) at Cabin John Creek - Potomac
MD 193 (Univ. Blvd) at Sligo Creek - Wheaton
MD 586 (Viers Mill Rd) at Rock Creek - S. of Twinbrook Pkwy.
Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park - Kensington-Chevy Chase
Sligo Creek Pkwy - Silver Spring-Takoma Park

UP-COUNTY AREAS

MD 97 (Georgia Ave) at Reddy Branch - N. of Brookeville
MD 124 (Woodfield Rd) at Goshen Branch and at Gr. Seneca Creek - N. of Brink Rd.
MD 117 (Clopper Rd) at Gr. Seneca Creek - W. of Gaithersburg
MD 117 (Clopper Rd) at Little Seneca Creek - E. of Boyds
MD 355 (Frederick Rd) at Little Seneca Creek - W. of Brink
MD 121 (Clarksburg Rd) near Little Seneca Lake - N. of Boyds

MD 118 (Germantown Rd) at Great Seneca Creek - S. of Germantown
River Rd and Berryville Rd at Seneca Creek - Seneca
Blunt Road at Great Seneca Creek - S. of Brink Rd.
Davis Mill Rd at Great Seneca Creek - N. of Gaithersburg
Brighton Dam Rd at Hawlings River - NE of Brookeville
Goldmine Rd at Hawlings River - E of Olney
Zion Rd at Hawlings River - E. of Laytonsville
Hoyles Mill Rd at ford of Little Seneca Creek - Germantown, west of soccer complex
Loghouse Rd at Magruder Branch - S. of Damascus
Elton Farm Rd at Haights Branch - N. of Sunshine
Howard Chapel Rd at Haights Branch - N. of Sunshine
White’s Ferry Road and River Road - White’s Ferry

More at: Street Flooding Hazards

Montgomery County Updates

Motorists are asked to drive with extreme caution and to treat all intersections where traffic signals are not operating as four-way stops.

Vehicles abandoned on County and State roads during the storm may have been towed so the road could be plowed. To identify the towing company and retrieve a vehicle, call the Emergency Communications Center at 301-279-8000.

County Services:

Montgomery County provided trash and recycling collection is cancelled today. Remaining collections this week will be one day late.

Ride On bus service will resume at 10 a.m. today and operate on a Saturday schedule.

Closures / Late openings:

As previously reported, Montgomery County Government is opening two hours late for non-essential personnel. Liberal leave is in effect for non-essential personnel today. Several county buildings are still without power as well. Citizens wanting to take advantage of county services today may want to call 311 prior to departing for a county facility to ensure the facility is open.

Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery College are closed today.

For more information, call 311 or visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/311.


Sent to All users (E-mail accounts) through Alert Montgomery

Let's Not Meet by "Accident!"

While we should not be impacted with snow of epic proportions, like last year, I thought I would pass along some great tips I found on the Triple A Mid-Atlantic web site. The tips are related to driving though they also go into other important areas such as having an emergency kit for your car as well as inclement weather driving vehicle maintenance checklist.

Go here to learn more: Inclement Weather Driving

So please take a moment to review and prepare. Let’s not have you or your loved ones meet our fire and rescue personnel by “accident” any time soon!

Stay Safe,

Bill