PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Two to four inches of rain were expected in the Hampton Roads area Thursday, with a flood watch in most of the area throughout the night.
With all the rain coming down and soaking the roads, 10 On Your Side’s KaMaria Braye was on the road to give tips on how to drive safely in rainy conditions.
Throughout the day, traffic was persevering despite the rainy conditions, though morning commuters had to deal with obstacles on their routes.
A Portsmouth resident said it wasn’t as bad as he thought it would be, but on Interstate 64, traffic came to a slog after a tractor-trailer crashed near the Hampton Roads Center Parkway. The driver had minor injuries, and Virginia State Police said the weather delayed the reopening of the travel lanes.
On Terminal Boulevard in Norfolk, a crash at the intersection with Meredith Street happened just before 7 a.m. Much of the traffic there was able to navigate around the crash.
As for the neighborhoods in our cities, there was standing water, with cars carefully making their way around, and some sidewalks were underwater.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one of the most important things to do while driving on slick roads is to drive slowly. This can help to lower the risk of your car hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning is when the tires lose grip of the road and travel on water that’s elevated, indicating that you have lost all traction. Another way to avoid hydroplaning is to avoid hard braking and to drive in the tracks of the vehicle in front of you, while still keeping a safe distance.
Due to the flooding conditions expected throughout much of the viewing area Thursday, remember the term, “turn around, don’t drown.”
According to NOAA, most flooding related fatalities in the U.S. occur from vehicles driving into flooded roadways. If a road is flooded, turn around and find an alternate route.
If your car starts to skid, remember to look and steer in the direction you want the car to go. Avoid slamming the breaks and jerking the steering wheel to not lose control of the vehicle.
AAA also urges drivers to avoid using cruise control in wet conditions. According to them, the chance of losing control of the car increases on slick roads.
Thursday’s rainy weather was enough to make some long for the warmer months.
Said one Portsmouth resident: “I’m ready for summertime to come in now.”