This week’s heavy rains have put a damper on many summer activities and even worse, made many roadways down right hazardous and impassable.

The Ohio Department of Transportation closed several state routes in Lawrence County, as did other agencies in neighboring states.

While several West Virginia counties were maybe the hardest hit by torrential rains and flash flooding, with some people being swept away by rushing water, the weather has been a grim reminder that nature should be respected.

People who attempt to drive in standing or rushing water needlessly risk their lives and possibly the lives of others.

Just 6 inches of fast-moving floodwater can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away a small car, while 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that more than half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous floodwater, followed by walking into or near flood waters. People underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream. Of these drownings, many are preventable, but too many people continue to drive around the barriers that warn the road is flooded.

Let this serve as a reminder to respect the high water and road closed signs. Turn around. Don’t Drown.