Rising water and floods

More than half of flood-related drownings in the U.S. occur when a vehicle is driven into floodwater, according to the National Weather Service. Here's how drivers can reduce dangers and the risk of a flood damage claim:

What goes up, must come down. Be cautious when knowingly traveling on streets with steep hills, there may be a newly formed lake waiting at the bottom of the hill. Always remember that water can continue to rise after the rain stops, water on a roadway may be deeper than it appears and there may be more on its way.
Know where your route will take you at all times and understand if you're driving (or even parking) near drainage channels, underpasses or similar areas. These are areas where flash flooding can occur at any time, regardless of whether typical warning signs like rain clouds or heavy rain are present.
Don't panic if you're caught in a flood. If you're inside your vehicle, you should consider staying where you are and waiting for rescue if safety permits.
Just because water stops rising or the rain ceases doesn't mean it's okay to proceed. Water on the road ahead might be deeper than it appears, and it can also obscure from view a variety of potential hazards, like downed trees and even live electrical wires.
Night driving requires extra awareness. Low light levels make it harder to see potential flood dangers and make drivers more susceptible to accidentally driving into a flooded area.

Wind and tornadoes

The danger of tornadoes and severe winds are especially common in certain areas of the U.S. during spring. Here's what to do in a tornado:

If you see a tornado that is far off and it's safe for you to do so, you can try to drive out of its path. NOAA recommends that you move at right angles to the tornado and locate a sturdy shelter, underground if possible.
Never try to outrun a tornado. You would need to drive more than 70 miles per hour to outrun the fastest tornado.
While an overpass may seem like a great spot to wait out a hailstorm, it may put you and your car in greater danger, since hailstorms often are part of larger severe weather systems that may include tornadoes. Stopping under an overpass can result in even more damage to your car and occupants, if high winds, as well as the debris picked up by those winds, move through the underpass.
If you can safely get to a level lower than the roadway, such as a ditch, safely leave your car and do so. Lie flat on the ground covering you head with your hands. Stay away from trees and cars as much as possible once exiting your car.

Owner of a truck overturned by a tornado, talks on the phone with insurance agents

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