Officials Urge Caution Of Roadway Hazards During Hurricane Clean-Up
Release Date: November 11, 2005
Release Number: 1604-123
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Jackson, MS - The ongoing clean-up efforts following Hurricane Katrina can pose dangers to drivers, officials warned. Motorists are urged to be extra cautious, especially while driving in areas that sustained damage during Hurricane Katrina. The roads in these areas may at times be congested by hundreds of trucks performing repair work and removing millions of tons of hurricane debris, state and FEMA officials warned today.
"While we continue to make incredible progress repairing critical infrastructure and removing debris, folks need to remember to exercise extreme caution while driving on roads that trucks and heavy equipment are also using in this historic effort, said Nick Russo, deputy federal coordinating officer for the disaster recovery. "These are not normal driving situations. They require above normal driving habits and skills."
Drivers should think safety before getting behind the wheel. Practice these safe driving tips:
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Match your speed with road conditions. Cars can quickly become uncontrollable-even at very modest speeds-when driving on roads damaged with potholes, or covered with mud or debris.
- Visibility may be limited. Debris piles and large trucks carrying heavy machinery can obstruct your line of sight. You will not be able to make the right decisions if you cannot see the road clearly.
- Maintain a safe distance when following heavy equipment and trucks hauling debris as debris may dislodge and trucks can make slow wide turns; both potentially create a roadway hazard.
- Traffic patterns may be shifted in work zones; obey posted work zone speed limit at all times. Be aware of equipment and workers on or near the road.
- Constantly scan for pedestrians who can quickly lose their footing maneuvering around debris, creating another road hazard for drivers. Pedestrians are sometimes hard to see behind debris piles or taller vehicles.
- Traffic signals may not work. Treat any intersection with non-working traffic signals as an "all-way" stop. Be prepared to stop at every intersection.
- Road signs may have been damaged or destroyed; be prepared to yield to a pedestrian or another driver or even to stop unexpectedly.
- Know where you are going and give yourself ample time to make your trip.
- Restrict your driving to daylight hours, if possible.
- Winter rains may soon begin and could increase the roadway hazards.
Make an extra effort to be aware of your surroundings. Tune in to traffic reports. Remain alert at all times. By exercising caution when on the roads, Mississippi's recovery can progress smoothly and individuals can avoid further hardship in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Friday, 11-Nov-2005 18:16:22