Had a close encounter with too much water.

[Ltv]

Was leaving for a long trip last week and we had a pretty good rainstorm here in Dallas. I was driving up the service road of the highway when without warning the road dipped and just disappeared with only a shimmer remaining. Turned out the road was flooded and I hit it doing about 50 mph. I think the speed and all of the belly pans on the bottom of the car really helped me hydroplane about 3/4 of the way through. Then the car started to slow down and twist toward the guardrail. I must have then sank to the bottom and was able to get the car straightened out and finish the crossing.

Never would have tried to go through if I had some warning. Ended up pulling over up the road a bit and heard something dragging off the bottom of the car. The panel below the rear passenger seat had been torn loose. Was able to unthread one of the bolts and get it stuck back up.

The rest of the trip went off without any trouble other then a flat tire close to the house on the way back. Did find quite a bit more damage to some of the other belly pans so I'll have to try to get those replaced but things are holding up ok. Just happy to only have the damage I have.

 

[16gen]

You are one lucky guy. Glad you did not get hurt.

 

[Andyj]

Wow. No DIP sign? I can see how the sedan would plane over the water. You're lucky.

 

[Ltv]

No signs that I saw, it was really dark too with all of the clouds eliminating any moonlight. Really feel fortunate that I was going as fast as I was or I probably would have stalled in the middle.

 

[glennk]

I'd have a mechanic look it over to confirm there is no damage.