Turn Around, Don’t Drown: Hackensack Fire Department Urges Drivers to Avoid Flooded Streets

photos courtesy of the City of Hackensack Fire Department

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

HACKENSACK, NJ — The Hackensack Fire Department is responding to multiple emergency calls as heavy rain and flash flooding impact the area. Crews have been dispatched to assist vehicles stranded in floodwaters and other weather-related incidents.

Authorities are issuing an urgent reminder: stay off the roads if possible during flash flooding.

🚗 Why You Should NEVER Drive Through Flooded Streets

Even a small amount of water can be dangerous:

• 6 inches of water can stall your car’s engine, leaving you stranded.

• 12 inches of water can float a small vehicle.

• 18-24 inches of water can sweep away most cars, trucks, and SUVs.

Floodwaters can also hide hazards like open manholes, washed-out pavement, and debris. Once your car is in moving water, it’s too late—your vehicle can quickly become uncontrollable.

🌊 Turn Around, Don’t Drown

The National Weather Service’s “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” message is simple but life-saving:
✅ If you see a flooded road, don’t risk it—turn around and find another route.
✅ Never underestimate the power of water.
✅ Remember, it only takes seconds for a normal street to become deadly during heavy rain.

⚠️ What Hackensack Officials Are Saying

“Attempting to drive through just six inches of water can be enough to stall a car,” the Hackensack Fire Department warns. “It’s safer to delay travel until conditions improve. We’re responding to multiple emergencies that could have been prevented.”

🛑 Stay Home, Stay Safe

If you don’t need to travel, stay indoors and wait for the flooding to recede. Doing so helps emergency responders focus on true life-threatening situations rather than preventable rescues.

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