When Flooded Turn Around Don't Drown

Cautions concerning flooded waters The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include:

• 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.
• Many of the deaths occur in cars swept downstream. Many of these drownings are preventable. 
• Never drive around the barriers blocking a flooded road.  

Statistics concerning flooded waters:

• A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult
• 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars
• 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters.

The National Weather Service uses the phrase "turn around don't drown" to further its mission to help protect life and property. The flood warning "turn around don't drown®" is actually a registered trademark phrase. Created by Hector Guerrero of Texas it was registered by NOAA, a gov't agency, in 2003

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration filed for a trademark in July 14 (2003); while the online details of the trademark documentation reference the legal correspondent (Sarah Schwartz of US Dept. of Commerce) and suggest the employee as John C Hwang, there is no mention of Hector Guerrero, a warning coordination meteorologist at the NWS San Angelo, Texas, forecast office.

However, it is the National Weather Service which acknowledges Hector in their details of the development of the signage and phrase.

"Hector Guerrero began formulating a plan for a program to raise awareness of the dangers of driving or walking into flooded areas in the early 2000s. While Guerrero worked at the NWS forecast office in Brownsville, Texas, he became concerned when hurricane evacuees from the Texas coast would relocate to the heart of Texas’ Flash Flood Alley. He was also aware of the dangers associated with flash floods having grown up in Austin, also part of Flash Flood Alley

“I wanted a catchy phrase along the lines of the fire-safety mantra "Stop, Drop and Roll,” said Guerrero. “After brainstorming with a group of firefighters from Harlingen, Texas, I chose ‘Turn Around Don’t Drown.’   The National "Turn Around Don't Drown" Program turns 10 years old in 2014 

+Turn Around Don't Drown® Warning Signs

+Policy on Use of Turn Around Don't Drown® Phrase

+Video, Audio and Print Resources

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