Drivers who took to the road on Thursday warned ‘you could pay with your life’

Motoring experts have outlined the best advice for motorists if they are caught in floods. Parts of the country could see a “danger to life” from the rains causing flash flooding and this will disrupt travel, affect power supplies and even cut off some villages.

Most drivers know that accelerating in floodwater is a very bad idea – leading to flooded engines and abandoned vehicles. But in heavy rain, the water table can rise very quickly, trapping even the most experienced.

It comes after the Met Office issued weather warnings for the country. The amber warning area is expected to see 30-40mm of rain, with the uplands of north-west England seeing 70-90mm. The mountains of North Wales could see 100-150mm or more during the warning period ending midday on Thursday.

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Select Car Leasing’s Graham Conway outlined some strategies to stay as safe as possible if you find yourself in a trouble spot. He said: “It is very important not to underestimate the danger of flood water while behind the wheel.

“You might think that the worst that can happen is to spray and turn on the wipers, but the reality is that you could pay for this ignorance with your life. It’s very hard to predict how deep any standing water is on the roads, so you have no idea what might happen as you approach it.

“And don’t think it doesn’t have the ability to wash a car, because it can be deceptively strong. So the best thing to do is to turn around and find another route entirely, rather than risk getting stuck – or worse.”

He added: “Water getting into the system can lead to some serious problems, from short circuits to complete failure of parts. These include all kinds of sensors that ensure your vehicle runs properly and smoothly. “If the central computer system gets waterlogged, it could shut down everything, including the windows and engine control units,” he added.

“If you have to try to navigate shallower flood water, put the car in first gear and high revs,” he said. “Keep your speed at a crawl and aim to keep your exhaust above the water level. Most roads “crown” in the middle, so that’s where you should aim.

“When you get out of the water, dry out the brakes by applying them gently and repeatedly.” He explained: “If the cautious approach is ignored, it could result in water splashing into the engine compartment and causing serious problems. It is also important to slowly get out of any standing water as this can also push water into the engine”.