{"id":15538,"date":"2025-03-21T11:08:44","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T03:08:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carro.sg\/blog\/?p=15538"},"modified":"2025-11-18T18:07:30","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T10:07:30","slug":"driving-in-heavy-rain-flash-flood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/driving-in-heavy-rain-flash-flood\/","title":{"rendered":"Flash floods in Singapore: What to do when driving in heavy rain"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_15539\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15539\" style=\"width: 646px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-15539\" src=\"https:\/\/carro.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/flood-PUB-Singapore-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"flood in singapore - PUB Singapore\" width=\"646\" height=\"517\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/flood-PUB-Singapore-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/flood-PUB-Singapore-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/flood-PUB-Singapore-768x615.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/flood-PUB-Singapore.jpg 1121w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 646px) 100vw, 646px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-15539\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Motorists driving across a flooded road. (Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=905793268391894&amp;set=pb.100068836885431.-2207520000&amp;type=3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Facebook\/PUB<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\nSingapore's weather is unpredictable and will on occasion experience prolonged heavy rain, increasing the risk of flash floods in several areas. The deluge also saw Singapore\u2019s National Water Agency (PUB) recently issue several flash flood risk alerts\r\n\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_15559\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15559\" style=\"width: 519px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-15559 \" src=\"https:\/\/carro.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/PUB-Flood-PSA-Warnings-Twitter-X-2-289x300.png\" alt=\"PUB Flood PSA Warnings Twitter X\" width=\"519\" height=\"539\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/PUB-Flood-PSA-Warnings-Twitter-X-2-289x300.png 289w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/PUB-Flood-PSA-Warnings-Twitter-X-2.png 585w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 519px) 100vw, 519px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-15559\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: X (<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PUBsingapore\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">@PUBsingapore<\/a>) Flood-related warnings on 20 March 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the country is constantly improving its drainage system to help manage excess water, sudden downpours can still cause roads to flood quickly. If you\u2019re driving during heavy rain, it\u2019s important to stay cautious and know what to do when faced with a wet, slippery or flooded road. We\u2019re here to help with some basic flood safety tips while driving.<\/span>\r\n<h2><b>Stay updated on flood alerts<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before heading out, check for flood advisories from the Public Utilities Board (PUB). You can find them on X <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PUBsingapore\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-15573\" src=\"https:\/\/carro.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/01-Flash-Flood-300x58.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"465\" height=\"90\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/01-Flash-Flood-300x58.png 300w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/01-Flash-Flood.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 465px) 100vw, 465px\" \/><\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Singapore\u2019s drainage system is designed to handle high volumes of water, but some low-lying areas may still experience temporary flooding. If possible, delay your trip until conditions improve.<\/span>\r\n<h2><b>Avoid flooded roads<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you see water pooling on the road, do not attempt to drive through it unless you are certain it's safe. Even shallow water can hide road damage or debris, and deeper water can cause your engine to stall.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The general rule of thumb is to avoid water levels of 15cm or more. You may use kerbs as a point of reference, they\u2019re usually 15cm in height.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the water level reaches the kerb or covers part of a wheel, find an alternate route.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive on higher ground whenever possible.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follow updates on affected roads through official sources like PUB\u2019s official accounts.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><b>What to do if you MUST drive through floodwaters<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, you might not have a choice but to drive through a flooded road. If that happens:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stay in <\/span><b>low gear<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (for automatic cars, use L mode or manual shift to a lower gear - 1 or 2) and keep a slow speed to maintain better control and avoid aquaplaning.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintain a slow and steady speed of about <\/span><b>7 km\/h<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and avoid sudden braking. This prevents water waves from rushing into your engine and exhaust pipe. It also keeps your car from floating.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follow the highest part of the road. In multi-lane roads, PUB\u2019s advice is to keep to the center lane as it is usually less flooded than the sides.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you see another vehicle moving through the water, drive behind it but <\/span><b>do not follow too closely<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to avoid sudden stops.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><b>What to do if your car stalls in a flood<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your car stops in floodwaters, do not restart the engine. Trying to start a wet engine can cause severe damage. Instead:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><b>Turn on your hazard lights<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to alert other drivers.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><b>Exit the vehicle if it is safe to do so.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If the water level is rising quickly, leave the car and move to higher ground immediately.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><b>Call for roadside assistance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or emergency services if needed.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><b>After driving through floodwaters<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you get through the flood, check your brakes by lightly pressing the pedal to ensure they still respond properly. If they feel weak or unresponsive, drive slowly and tap the brakes a few times to dry them out.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you suspect water has entered your engine, transmission, or exhaust, <\/span><b>do not continue driving<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Get your car checked at a workshop as soon as possible to avoid long-term damage.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re looking for a workshop with a trusted team of car experts, look no further than <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/carro.sg\/carro-workshop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carro Care<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. From checking your brakes and engine to diagnosing potential flood damage, our team is equipped to handle it all.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<h2><b>Insurance <\/b><b>coverage<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Singapore, while some car insurance policies may cover flood damage, it's not a standard inclusion, so it's crucial to review your policy details to ensure coverage. Comprehensive insurance policies usually offer protection against flood-related damage, but it's best to confirm with your provider.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking for comprehensive car insurance that also covers flood damage? Get a quote now with Carro\u2019s car insurance in Singapore - <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/covered.sg\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Covered<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span>\r\n<h2><b>Stay safe and plan ahead<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Singapore\u2019s weather can change quickly, and flash floods can occur with little warning. Stay updated on road conditions, avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain, and always be prepared for sudden flooding. If in doubt, <\/span><b>it\u2019s safer to wait than to risk driving through deep water.<\/b>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Comprehensive flood safety tips from PUB can be found <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pub.gov.sg\/Public\/KeyInitiatives\/Get-Flood-Wise\/Flood-Safety-Tips\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Singapore&#8217;s weather is unpredictable and will on occasion experience prolonged heavy rain, increasing the risk of flash floods in several areas. The deluge also saw Singapore\u2019s National Water Agency (PUB) recently issue several flash flood risk alerts While the country is constantly improving its drainage system to help manage excess water, sudden downpours can still &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":83,"featured_media":15539,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[725],"tags":[656,657,655],"class_list":["post-15538","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle-car-tips","tag-driving-through-a-flood","tag-driving-tips","tag-flash-flood"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15538","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/83"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15538"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15538\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15578,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15538\/revisions\/15578"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15538"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15538"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15538"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}