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Car on a riverbank with open doors, a person wrapped in a blanket standing safely on the higher bank

My car is in the water

A car in the water leaves hardly any time to think. Whoever knows the order beforehand – seat belt, window, children, out – does not have to work it out in an emergency.

First

  1. If the car has plunged into water and is sinking: act at once, do not phone first. Seat belt off, window open, children out first, then yourself out through the window.
  2. If the car is stuck in fast-flowing floodwater: stay inside as long as no water is coming in. If water rises inside, get onto the roof.
  3. As soon as you are out and safe: call 112.
  4. Never go back into the water for belongings.

Call emergency services if

  • Always, as soon as you are safely out
  • Someone is still in the vehicle or in the water
  • You are stuck on the roof or inside the vehicle in floodwater
  • Hypothermia or breathing difficulty after being in the water

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What is happening

There are two very different situations. In the first, a car plunges from a road, a ramp or a bank into a lake, river or canal. It usually floats only briefly, then water enters and it sinks. While the water outside the window is still low, windows can usually be opened – later the water presses against them, and electric windows may fail.

In the second, a car drives into a flooded road or underpass or is caught by floodwater. Here authorities such as Ready.gov advise: if the vehicle is trapped in rapidly moving water, stay inside; if water rises inside the vehicle, get onto the roof. Anyone who steps out into fast water can be swept away.

The best prevention is simple and still often ignored: never drive through flooded roads. You cannot see how deep the water is or whether the road beneath still exists, and even a little moving water can lift a car and carry it off.

This page summarises what public guidance says for both situations. It cannot cover every case – what matters is acting quickly, freeing children first and calling the emergency number as soon as you are safe.

Step by step

My car is in the water – Phase 1 of 4Car sinking: get out at once. Do not phone first. Every second counts. Undo the seat belt – yours and the children's. Open the window while it still works. The door usually cannot be opened against the water. Children out through the window first, the oldest first so they can help the younger ones. Then get out yourself.
Phase 1 of 4

Phase 1 of 4

Car sinking: get out at once

Do not phone first. Every second counts. Undo the seat belt – yours and the children's. Open the window while it still works. The door usually cannot be opened against the water. Children out through the window first, the oldest first so they can help the younger ones. Then get out yourself.

The animation shows the key actions of each phase schematically; the text below is what counts.

  1. Phase 1

    Car sinking: get out at once

    • Do not phone first. Every second counts.
    • Undo the seat belt – yours and the children's.
    • Open the window while it still works. The door usually cannot be opened against the water.
    • Children out through the window first, the oldest first so they can help the younger ones. Then get out yourself.

  2. Phase 2

    Outside: distance and emergency call

    • Swim away from the vehicle or hold on to the roof until you can safely reach the bank.
    • Lie back and calm your breathing if the water is cold.
    • As soon as you are safe: call 112. Say whether anyone is still in the vehicle or the water.
    • Do not go back into the water for bags, phones or papers.

  3. Phase 3

    Stuck in floodwater

    • Call 112 at once and describe the place (road, kilometre marker, underpass).
    • In fast-flowing water stay in the vehicle as long as no water comes in. Seat belt off, be ready.
    • If water rises inside: out through the window onto the roof and stay there.
    • Hazard lights on, lights on, attract attention and wait for help. Do not step into moving water.

  4. Phase 4

    Before and afterwards

    • Facing a flooded road or underpass: turn around, do not drive through – even if others do. Never drive around barriers.
    • After the water: out of wet clothing, wrap up warmly, look after each other.
    • Anyone who breathed in water or then coughs or breathes heavily needs medical help.
    • Take the experience seriously and talk about it – with the children too.

★ Pro tips

What experienced people do differently: proven practice from mountain rescue, fire services, lifeguards and civil protection that beginners rarely know.

  1. A foot of moving water can float a car

    US authorities warn that about six inches (15 cm) of moving water can knock you off your feet and about one foot (30 cm) can sweep a vehicle away. So don't try to judge whether it's still fine – turn around.

  2. Keep the escape tool within reach

    A tool in the glovebox or boot is out of reach when it counts. Fix it to your keyring, the centre console or the driver's door – somewhere you can find it while still belted in and in the dark.

  3. In a current: feet first

    If you're carried along by moving water after getting out, lie on your back with your feet pointing downstream. Use your feet to fend off obstacles and work diagonally towards the bank. Don't stand up while the water is fast.

  4. Floodwater is dirty water

    Floodwater often carries sewage, fuel and chemicals. Wash thoroughly afterwards, clean any wounds and have them checked by a doctor if they become red or swollen. Check your tetanus protection too.

What to watch out for

  • Act first, phone later

    In a sinking car a phone call costs time in which the windows can still be opened. The emergency call follows as soon as everyone is out.

  • Doors against water pressure

    While there is more water outside than inside, a door can hardly be opened. The window is usually the way out.

  • Moving water

    Anyone who steps out into floodwater can be knocked over and carried away. In fast water the roof is usually safer than the road.

  • Underpasses and fords

    Underpasses fill very quickly in heavy rain, and fords can be unexpectedly deep and fast-flowing after rain.

Common mistakes

  • Calling the emergency number first while the car is sinking.
  • Trying to push the door open against the water.
  • Going back to fetch belongings.
  • Getting out into fast floodwater although no water is coming in.
  • Driving through flooded roads because others do.

Prepare in advance

  • Talk through the order with everyone in the car: seat belt, window, children, out.
  • Know how your windows open and how child seats are released quickly.
  • An easy-to-reach tool for cutting belts and breaking windows can help; glass types differ, so read the manufacturer's information.
  • Take severe weather warnings seriously and postpone trips in heavy rain.
  • Know routes with fords, underpasses and riverside roads and avoid them in floods.

Special consideration

Children
Free the children first, then get out yourself. Older children can learn beforehand to undo their own belt and climb out of the window when told.
People with limited mobility
Anyone who cannot free themselves should avoid trips during flood or severe weather warnings where possible and have a plan with companions.

Sources

  • Floods · Ready.gov – U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  • Turn Around Don't Drown · NOAA National Weather Service (USA)
  • 112 – the European emergency number · European Commission

Your situation

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In the car with me

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All rules of this situation (4)

  1. [not active] If What happened? = Plunged into water, sinking

    Seconds count: seat belt, window, children, out. Open the window while it still works – the emergency call follows once everyone is out.

  2. [not active] If What happened? = Stuck in floodwater on the road

    In fast-moving water stay in the vehicle as long as no water comes in; if it rises inside, get onto the roof. Call 112 at once.

  3. [not active] If What happened? = There is a flooded road ahead of me

    Turn around, do not drive through – even if others do. You cannot see the depth, the current or the state of the road beneath.

  4. [not active] If In the car with me = Children

    Unbuckle the children first and pass them out through the window, the oldest first so they can help the younger ones – as public guidance recommends.