Water safety important this upcoming summer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

With the start of summer just over a month away, more people may head to their favorite spots to swim.

However, it's important to remember that flooded creeks and streams can turn dangerous in an instant.

First responders and meteorologists give the warning every spring when heavy rains move through Mid-Missouri - "turn around, don't drown."

"The saying of 'turn around, don't drown' is there for a reason.  You can't tell how deep that water is, just a little bit of moving water is going to cause problems for people and that water is just relentless," said Doug Westhoff with the Boone County Fire Protection District.

Westhoff says that even if you live in an area with a low water crossing you never know what damage has been done to the road from the rushing water. 

"When you get so much water on the on the upstream side of those culvert pipes it erodes around the throat of that and will take the soil the gravel the road surface it'll take it all out of there and you have no idea what you're driving into," said Westhoff. 

While some may think the rising water is the perfect time to go fishing or take your pet to the water on a warm day there is one thing you will want to keep in mind while near the temporary shoreline.

"Really your best bet is to be able to have some kind of a feeling device, a stick, or something where you're feeling out in front of you. Something as simple as a manhole cover missing could be catastrophic," said Westhoff.  

Westhoff reminds everyone to let someone know your travel plans or outdoor recreational plans if you plan to be around water so first responders have an idea of where to start looking should you come into trouble.