An important message from residents who live in areas who have been affected by flood water asks people to refrain from flood sightseeing. When vehicles drive through these areas, water is pushed into adjacent properties and homes, making it worse for the people who are already suffering.
If travel through these residential areas is essential, please drive slowly and carefully to minimise any water inundation from the road.
This message is repeated during every flood: if it's flooded, forget it.
It's impossible to know for sure that the road surface or bridge is still intact - there could be road damage, parts of the road or bridge could be washed away, or flood debris hidden under the brown flood waters.
The SES reminds us that the major cause of death during floods is from people entering or travelling through flood water. This includes driving, riding and walking through flood water and children playing in flood water. Flood water may be deeper or faster flowing than it appears and contain hidden snags or debris. Flood water may contain chemicals, raw sewage, snakes, spiders and much more that could cause illness and even death.
It can be frustrating to stay at home during these kinds of extended periods of wet weather, but the warnings given by emergency services to avoid driving through flood waters are with very good reason: driving through flood waters is dangerous and can be fatal.
