What to do if your vehicle is submerged in water

A car sits submerged on a flooded street under a railroad bridge, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024 in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

What do you do if you’re in a car that suddenly becomes submerged in water?

You may not have given the question much thought, but the answer could help you safely escape a sinking vehicle.

When the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed Tuesday morning, video footage showed vehicles tumbling into the Patapsco River below. Perhaps more commonly, flash floods can catch drivers by surprise, trapping them in their cars as floodwaters rush past.