When a hurricane or severe storm is threatening to strike, it can cause stress, chaos and lead to severe flooding.
With our proximity to the Gulf and the rivers, lakes and bayous across our region, one of the most critical things that can affect people in the Houston-Galveston area is the rate at which flooding can become a problem.
It takes only 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most vehicles, and 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks. That’s according to the National Weather Service, which also reports that more deaths occur each year due to flooding than from any other storm-related hazard.
In addition, more than half of flood-related drownings happen after a vehicle has driven into hazardous floodwater.
The bottom line is that it’s never safe to drive into floodwaters. Emergency service personnel put their lives at risk to rescue those who become trapped in flooded areas, so it’s always better to live by the phrase “turn around, don’t drown.”
[Related: Houston-Galveston Area Council issues updated hurricane evacuation map]
Vehicle towing during severe storms and hurricanes
Should you be out in a storm or a flood, it’s important to know that, while Tow and Go -- a free towing service -- can help people in many stranded situations, they cannot help people with flooded vehicles.
“With us being in hurricane season and with all the rainfall we’ve been getting, one of the biggest things we’ve realized lately is that people tend to forget that Tow and Go cannot rescue flooded vehicles,” said Francis Rodriquez, principal program coordinator of Incident Management at the Houston-Galveston Area Council.
Rodriguez said two main reasons for this is that wrecker trucks are prone to flooding and it puts drivers’ lives in danger.
It is important to know, however, the service is available to motorists in many other emergency situations. For example, should a car break down and someone get stranded on the side of the road, Tow and Go can get a wrecker to them and get their vehicle to a safe location at no cost.
From there, the motorist can contact their insurance, AAA or negotiate how to have their vehicle towed to its final destination.
The free service can be used with vehicles that have:
- Flat tires.
- Overheated.
- A dead battery.
- Experienced any other mechanical failures that prevent it from running.
The goal of Tow and Go is to get motorists off busy roadways and to a safe location. This saves lives by reducing potential secondary accidents and can prove especially beneficial when there is a hurricane or severe storm looming.
The Tow and Go service cannot be used with vehicles that are:
- Flooded or located in floodwater.
- Abandoned.
- Involved in a car accident or crash.
How you can reach Tow and Go
You never know when a vehicle breakdown can happen. Below are several ways you can access a free tow with Tow and Go.
- Call: 713-881-3333.
- Visit TowandGo.com.
- The Houston TranStar app. Click on the tow truck icon on the top left corner of the screen to contact Tow and Go.
- The ConnectSmart app. After a prolonged stop on the highway, the app is triggered to show the Tow and Go logo, which, after clicked, will show a quick introduction to the service and provide the option to request a tow. It will then ask a series of questions. Watch the video below to learn how you can best utilize the app in an emergency.
To learn more about Tow and Go, click or tap here.
New hurricane evacuation route map
Along with encouraging residents to make the safest decisions possible when a storm is approaching, the Houston-Galveston Area Council has updated its evacuation route map.
When a tropical storm or hurricane is approaching, the National Weather Service forecasts the expected height of storm surge and wave action. Based on this information, county judges or their emergency management officials decide when evacuations must take place.
They use a ZIP code-based system to order evacuations based on the expected height and extent of storm surge. The goal is to remove residents in the areas most at risk of being flooded by storm surge.
[Related: Updated 2024 hurricane evacuation route map.]
If you are in an evacuation zone, you should have a plan for driving out of harm’s way. The Houston-Galveston Area Council’s hurricane evacuation route map shows the designated roadways for evacuation. These routes are designated by the Texas Department of Transportation and will be equipped with fuel stations and emergency personnel to assist motorists during an evacuation.
Access all of Houston-Galveston Area Council’s latest and most important hurricane documents: Hurricane Preparedness Guide | Disaster Preparedness Kit | Pet Boarding Checklist