Rain, fog, floods and severe weather

Plain guides for driving in rain, fog and floods and planning around severe weather

Heavy rain, fog, floodwater and storms can turn a normal drive dangerous in minutes. This page brings together our guides on driving in rain and fog, staying out of floodwater, checking a car after a flood and planning around severe weather.

Use the On this page menu to jump to a topic. If you are trapped by rising water, call 911.

Driving in rain and fog

Slow down, leave more room and use the right lights. Good tires and wipers help you keep your grip and see clearly.

Start hereDriving in rain: hydroplaning, standing water and flood safetyHow to check your tires, recover from hydroplaning and stay out of floodwaterRead the guideDriving in fog: safe speeds, the right lights and when to pull offHow fast to drive in fog, which lights to use and when to pull offRead the guideWiper blades and washer fluid: when to replace blades and which fluid to use in winterSpot worn blades, pick a fluid rated for your coldest days and store it safelyRead the guideCar defrosters and heated mirrors: how to clear every window and keep the system workingDefog glass fast, clear mirrors and cameras, skip risky shortcuts and fix failuresRead the guideTread depth gauges: how to measure tire wear, read the wear bars and spot uneven wearMeasure every groove, log the lowest reading and learn what wear patterns revealRead the guide

Floodwater and flooded cars

Floodwater can hide washed out roads and damage your car in ways you can’t see. Learn the warning signs before you drive or buy a car that was flooded.

Turn around, don’t drown

Never drive into water covering a road. Even shallow moving water can sweep a car away. If water rises around you, move to higher ground if it is safe and call 911.

Start hereFlood damaged cars: how hidden water damage can knock out air bags and safety electronicsHow floodwater harms wiring and sensors and what to check before you drive or buyRead the guideFlooded electric vehicles: why the battery fire risk can show up days or weeks laterHow water damages EV batteries, where to park a flooded car and who to callRead the guideFlood depth sensors, warning signs and closure gates: how road flood systems workHow roads detect, warn about and block floodwater, and why you still turn aroundRead the guide

Plan around severe weather

Check road reports before you go, keep an emergency kit in the car and give work drivers a plan for bad weather.

Start hereRoad weather sensors and 511: how ice, fog and rain reports reach driversWhat road sensors measure, how crews use the data and where to check before a tripRead the guideEmergency blankets, water and supplies: what to carry if you get stranded in your carChoose the right blankets, pack enough water and size your kit for every tripRead the guideJourney management for work drivers: weather, breakdowns and check insHow to plan work trips, set weather rules and track drivers with check insRead the guideSatellite SOS for drivers: how to choose, set up and test an emergency deviceCompare phone SOS, messengers and beacons, then set one up and test it safelyRead the guideHurricane evacuation driving: how to leave safely and avoid floodwaterHow to plan your route, pack the car, leave early and stay out of floodwaterRead the guideWildfire smoke and evacuation: how to drive out safelyHow to prepare to leave fast, drive through smoke and survive if fire traps your carRead the guideExtreme heat and driving: how to protect your car, your kids and yourselfHow heat endangers kids in cars, strains your vehicle and makes breakdowns riskyRead the guideHigh winds and dust storms: how to stay in control and when to pull overHow to handle crosswinds, protect tall vehicles and pull aside when dust hitsRead the guide

More to read

Want to read more? See our winter driving guides, or browse every weather and road conditions guide in our library.

Winter drivingBrowse weather guides

These guides offer general education, not legal or mechanical advice. Follow warnings from the National Weather Service and local officials, and stay off the road when they tell you to. In an emergency in the United States, call 911.

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Guides, self-checks and articles for drivers, parents of new drivers, and families recovering after a crash.

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