Display a little common courtesy

Apparently it’s time for a review of common sense and courtesy when it comes to heavy rains and high water.
Here goes:
•While it’s cool that your 4-wheel drive vehicle can go through high water, don’t be a jackass. Plowing through flooded streets might feel like fun to the driver, but it’s a pain in the neck for property owners on either side of the street. Much of the threat to residential neighborhoods and downtown businesses comes from the waves churned up by motorists who thought it might be neat to make a splash. It’s boorish behavior, and it damages the property of others. Cut it out.
•When you encounter high water signs, don’t ignore them. They are there for a reason, and the reason is to send you in a different direction. Most flood-related deaths and injuries are a result of people ignoring high water signs and driving blithely ahead into the mess.
•Emergency officials are going to have their hands full anyway, so don’t do anything foolish that would make you need to be rescued. (See the paragraph directly above.)
•Keep away from the banks of streams and rivers, and be sure to keep your kids away. Sure, a roaring river can be a pretty amazing sight. You don’t want it to be your last. Keep your distance.
•Don’t tie up police and emergency phone lines with silly, trivial requests or questions. They are busy.
•Watch out for pedestrians. If you are having trouble getting across town because of flooded streets, imagine how tough it is to get around on foot. The last thing these people need is to be splashed or endangered by sight-seers and rubber-neckers. If you are driving in these conditions, take extra care to watch out for those on foot, on bikes, and on motorcycles.
•Keep an eye on your neighbors’ property, and if someone needs your help sandbagging, volunteer. That’s what you would want them to do if the tables were turned. — J.R.