From Maryland State Police:
Maryland State Police are searching for up to three people after apparently being swept away by swift water Friday evening in Harford County.
At about 6 p.m. in the area of Route 136 and James Run, a vehicle with two occupants became disabled on a bridge due to high water. A truck pulled up to the scene to assist. The female in the truck who got out to assist the occupants of the other vehicle was swept away by swift water off the bridge.
Shortly thereafter, the disabled vehicle with the two occupants still inside was also swept away by the swift water. The driver of the truck was able to drive to a nearby quarry in search of the victims and then sought help from first responders. There is no additional information about the victims’ identity or description at this time.
Flash floods can come quickly and without warning during times of excessive rainfall. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it takes just 12 inches of rushing water to strand a small vehicle, while 24 inches of fast flowing water can carry away most vehicles.
Following the simple advice of “Turn Around, Don’t Drown,” could save lives during flash flooding conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of flood-related deaths occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water.
Here are some simple tips to avoid flood-related injuries:
• “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” A driver, especially at night, has no idea how deep the water is or whether the road underneath is still intact. Pay attention to road signs that close roads.
• Delay commuting until precipitation moves away and stream and river flooding has a chance to recede and safe travel is possible.
• Pay close attention to local weather forecasts and plan accordingly.
• If a traffic signal is flashing completely out due to a power interruption, motorists on all legs of an intersection must stop and treat the intersection as a four-way stop according Maryland law.
• Never maneuver around low hanging trees or wires or try to move branches or downed wires out of the travel lanes.
• Be aware of the potential for hydroplaning. Often during heavy rainfall, water pools quickly on a roadway surface. At high speeds, even a small amount of water can cause you to lose traction and ultimately control of your vehicle.
• Increase following distances between vehicles. Remember to use low-beam headlights when windshield wipers are in operation.
• Be familiar with areas that have a history of flooding and plan an alternate route.
• Log onto md511.org or call 511 from a hands-free device to obtain the latest, real-time travel conditions.
• Live traffic cameras can be accessed by logging onto roads.maryland.gov and clicking on the CHART icon.
Also, don’t forget to buckle up and avoid driving aggressively or distracted. In addition, don’t forget to adhere to Maryland’s “move over” laws aimed at increasing safety for police, fire and emergency medical services personnel working on Maryland roadsides.
The county Emergency operations and police failed to make it known how bad it was. Pretty bad when we have to rely on Harford Fire Blog to keep us informed. Epic fail on our county/state governments part. Way to wait until the storm is almost over and people are dying to make social media posts and call my house to tell me to stay off the road. Great job
But don’t you think a reasonable person would already take precautions with the weather approaching and if by some unplanned event were to be stuck out in it, wouldn’t a reasonable person already know the tips they have been pounding into our brains for years? Just a thought? Hope the find those missing people well and alive.
I agree with you. I work in another county and I was in my way home from work at 8. I didnt see anything from emergency personnel until after I got home at 9. Harford County Emergency staff need to do better. My wife thinks I’m wrong( so I guess I am, NOT)! I do want to say how grateful I am for the police and fire staff that worked hard during this event. Good job. I’m not being critical of County Emergency staff to be mean, I know they work hard, but someone dropped the ball on this one.
Rick Ayres must be on vacation.
you are an absolute idiot.
An example of how our society takes no responsibility. I feel bad for the victims, but they constantly tell you not to drive through standing water.
Survival of the fittest…
Are you dumb?
Stop and think for a fvckin’ moment. If you’re driving in a storm that’s producing large amounts of rain very fast, do you really need emergency services to tell you common sense information?
Do you really need people standing on the road wearing a bright green “safety vest” and flashing yellow lights to inform you not to drive through several feet of fast flowing water that you’re gawking at?
Are you totally lost everywhere you drive that you absolutely have no idea where low areas of topograhy are with creeks et al to be at least be aware that area could be flooded pretty bad by the time you drive up to it?
It’s not safe to drive thru flood waters? Who knew?
Who knew it is not safe to drive through floodwaters? The same person who things Trump is a russian agent.
Precisely accurate. Furthermore, someone who drives thru flood waters is actually performing an act of negligence, which should invalidate any insurance claims because of their negligence. When you make a decision to do something that you know is dangerous you have neglected your own responsibility to yourself, yet alone others in the car with you or other drivers on the road. In my opinion this would invalidate any contract or agreement and I don’t think you need to be warned by a government agency when a clear and present danger exists directly before your own eyes. I’m sorry for any family members or loved ones who may have experienced a loss because of the flooding, but those who bring risk upon themselves sometimes succumb to those risks.
I forgot how to breath air, can someone help me?
yes open mouth wait for flies to enter then inhale and swallow
Where was super hero Eddie Hopkins? The county acts like he’s the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ, when he couldn’t manage to get his stupid ass out of a paper bag.
Stop hiring all these good ole boy cronies like Rick Ayres and Eddie Hopkins and get some people who actually have done something in life.
Ayers is a dufus.
Rob pat, you are an IDIOT
someone sh!t the bed and people got hurt someone needs to man up and fix the broken system
also people need to protect themselves and be safe common sense goes a long way
If you depend on Hardord County Government to help you then your a fool. Take personal responsibility and don’t put yourself in harm’s way if you can avoid it. Be prepared. The government may not be able to help you.
The government of the State of Maryland doesn’t have any concern for its citizens. It is a criminal enterprise of treason and terrorism. There is no State like Maryland that has literally overthrown the Constitutional Government of the US and Maryland’s own Constitutional Government. The Uniform Commercial Code of Maryland should be destroyed and every member of it indicted and tried for Treason. That’s the bottom line because it’s the truth. This is one instance where the MSP is actually doing something worthwhile for the people who pays its salaries, but normally they are nothing but a bunch of brown shirt fascists that should face the full penalty of law for the treason they commit.
I find it hard to believe all the automobiles washed off the road in the area of Route 7 and 136 could not have avoided it.
Fvckin’ idiots.
They were morons.
You are definitely dumber than a rock. Water is very powerful. I’ve seen take a cement truck with 6 yards of cement mixing and roll it over like a pea. Turn around and don’t drown you idiot. You have no idea if that road is still there or not..??? Take a chance, it’s your life. See you at your funeral.
What a bunch of idiots.
It was a waste of taxpayer dollars to even go after these imbecilesF.