Flooding along many routes in the region is causing the Missouri State Highway Patrol to remind the public that flooding can be dangerous to both drivers and boaters.

Colonel J. Bret Johnson, superintendent said yesterday, June 16, 2015, a man died after his car was swept away as he was attempting to cross a flooded roadway in Washington County.

The Highway Patrol reminds motorists to never drive through fast-moving water because even a small amount of fast-moving water can sweep a slow-moving vehicle off the roadway.

It said that if your vehicle becomes stuck in rising water, get out quickly and move to higher ground. Due to continuing rainfall, several areas in Missouri are experiencing flooding.

“For their safety and that of their passengers, drivers are reminded to stay alert while driving in areas known to flood,” Johnson said. “Barricades closing a roadway are there to protect you. Drivers must respect barriers or barricades put in place by MoDOT — it is extremely dangerous and a violation of state law to drive around them.”

The Patrol is also asking boaters across the state to take extra precautions when boating in flooded areas. Large amounts of rainfall cause rivers and lakes to become swollen. It said boaters should avoid operating in areas where lakes or rivers spill over the banks, erosion and damage can occur to flooded structures, docks, or water laden levees by boat wakes.  If operation in these areas is necessary, the patrol said boaters should operate at idle speed so as to avoid causing a wake.

“Flooded rivers and streams with moving currents present some of the most dangerous situations a boater can encounter,” Johnson said. “Fast moving water can easily capsize or flip a boat—or personal watercraft—especially when combined with fixed objects such as trees and buildings. Boaters should avoid any operations in these swift flowing waters.”

Many lakes and rivers across the state have only seen routine increases in water levels. It is for the safety of the public and to minimize damage to property that the Highway Patrol requests boaters avoid waterways that have been impacted by the most severe flooding.