2008 News

July 23, 2008

Bucks County Emergency Management Agency Warns: Turn Around, Don’t Drown!

With the region under a thunderstorm warning, the Bucks County Emergency Management Agency is reminding residents not to walk or drive into standing water.  John Dougherty, EMA director, also warns Bucks Countians that it is equally dangerous to attempt to walk through flood waters.  “For the safety of all our residents, I ask everyone to play it safe.  If you see standing water, seek another route.”  He adds that once a driver gets stuck in flash flood waters, it strains our law enforcement and rescue resources, and puts others in danger unnecessarily.

According to the National Weather Service and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. Dougherty urges residents to heed road signs and law enforcement instructions. 

Receive timely alerts about weather and other emergencies to your personal digital assistant, e-mail or cell phone. Sign up for www.ReadyNotifyPA.org. For more information about preparing for emergencies, go to www.BucksCounty.org/ReadyBucks.