ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- While many in Michiana got hit by rain and strong winds in the last 24 hours, some low-lying areas wound up being flooded.
ABC57's Jordan Tolbert rode along with SJCPD Sergeant Jason Dziubinski Wednesday to look at some of the flooding in rural St. Joseph County.
A large sign at Elm and Madison roads in Southern St. Joseph County warns of water on the road. Some people drove past it, only to turn around when they saw the extent of the flooding.
Sgt. Dziubinski says this time of year in rural areas, when snow is melting and it rains, fields and ditches are saturated and the water has nowhere to go, so roads can flood.
That's when the county highway department puts signs up if the flooding situation warrants it.
"You don't want to drive through water that's higher than six inches, because at six inches, it can get up to your exhaust system in your vehicle, get into your engine, cause your vehicle to stall. So, then you drive through that water, your vehicle stalls. You're stuck in there. You have nowhere to go. And then the water could be rising at the same time. With 12 inches of water, a vehicle could start to flow and move with the water," said Dziubinski.
He says officers bring a 'throw bag' with a rope inside to save someone from a flooded area when they can't reach them.
Sgt. Dziubinski says the road underneath a flooded area may be cracked, eroded, or even have a sinkhole. He says that puts your vehicle in danger of sinking, and you, in danger of drowning.
He says of all deaths that occur from flooding are caused by people driving through water.
If you drive through floodwater beyond a warning sign, your vehicle might stall or be carried away.
"Six inches can make your vehicle not work because it can get into the engine and then a foot can make your vehicle start to float, that's for a smaller vehicle, and then 18-24 inches, an SUV or a large pickup truck, that will sweep them away also," said Dziubinski
When water eventually recedes, debris might be left behind.
If you see a flooded roadway that looks dangerous or may need signage, you can report it to the St. Joseph County police non-emergency number. If you are in an emergency situation, call 911