With heavy rains in the forecast, it’s important residents remember to stay safe in potentially dangerous situations. As always, if you can’t see the bottom of the roadway — don’t drive through it. Even a few inches of water can float a vehicle; so don’t test your luck.

Also, residents are advised to stay away from drainage systems, as they pose threats with fast-moving water. And although most children have started school, many children in Selma and Dallas County have a few more days of summer vacation. We advise parents to keep close watch of their children as they play in puddles, and remember that colds often result from staying in wet clothes — so have a towel at hand when you’re little ones come piling in after a day in the rain.

Most of all, we encourage residents to just use common sense when it comes to driving in rainy weather. Remember, “turn around, don’t drown — don’t under estimate the power of water.”