I don't even like to think about the flooding from last year. The wind is one thing, but when all the streams flood, we are in big trouble. They didn't even fix all of the damage from last year yet. Irene and Lee destroyed alot, including historical and natural landmarks. They are expecting that the damage is going to be billions MORE than last year, especially with the collision of storms. Dangerous also. I remember when the idiots who run this college didn't call off classes until AFTER LEE started flooding and leaving debris on every road in the county. Took 4 hours to get out of town and wasted alot of gas driving in circles. They only allowed people from NYC to arrive ahead of Irene and others had to wait until after only to return to several dorms flooded. Knowing them, they are probably going to screw this up again like they do with everything.

Now just hypothetically, if I had to drive through water on a known-good surface, how deep could I go? How high would cause damage? Obviously not as high as the body since the airbag and 4x4 modules would get soaked, but what about everything under the truck?

Good thing I just changed the fluids in the front axle and transfer case, did an oil change and greased the front end with Mobil1 grease. I also topped off the rear axle. Hard to check stuff under the truck is good to go. How do I prevent water from getting into the axles, transfer case or transmission?

My truck is pretty well prepared as is before throwing in the stuff I am going to put in for the hurricane. I am going to throw the same equipment in that I take camping:

-First Aid Kit
-Spare fluids for everything
-Jump starter/Air compressor
-Big Michelin hard case emergency kit
-Flares
-Fire extinguisher
-Chocks
-Tools
-Tow rope/tow strap
-Flashlights
-Compass
-Lighters
-GPS
-Cell charger
-Fix a flat
-Tape
-Epoxy
-Power inverter
-Warmer layers of clothing
-other junk

 

Before I had the SC I went through water to just below mid grille. That was with the stock clutch fan & I was lucky the CAI didn't suck in water.
Remember where your intake is located in reference to the grille (CAI or stock) & don't make waves!
If you have a stock air intake box it will hold some water before taking it into the engine. You don't want that, Slow & steady & don't make waves in-front.
Plus driving at a creep or ? if you slip off a road you're not in the ditch immediately, you have time to correct.
Seat of the pants driving & feeling what they're on & where the tires are will keep you in the blazer instead of on it with a flag for rescue.

Got a rescue flag btw?
NM I see flares in your list.

Personally I'd love to be in this, just to help people, get out & do what I know my blazer & I can do.
This is definitely a brains over brawn but having a competent vehicle is a bonus, use it smartly.

 

Cool link from space...
Hurricane Sandy Seen From Internations Space Station on MSN Video

International Space Station took this. Kinda boring but Sandy looks like she covers 1/3 of the Earth.

 

Company i work for just activated our disaster response team. Got a few ambulances and medics coming from ohio heading to where ever fema is set up in new jersey to help out...good luck!

 

Maybe I should take the CAI out and put a small filter on the MAF sensor just in case. I don't expect it will come to that, but considering where I am and how bad Irene flooded last year, if I have to get out of town, I may have to drive through some shallow water at some point.

Also, if I have to drive through water up to the axles, what is the risk of getting water into the transmission, engine oil, differentials and transfer case?

 

The differentials should have tubes that go up to vent, the engine I would say would have to be submerged and I think but am not sure the trans has a breather tube but not 100 % sure on that. The thing with water is once you are in keep going but avoiding it is always your best bet. Good luck.

 

after class tomorrow im gonna fill the blazer up and when i get home sharpen all my chains for the saw. i put water in pitchers in the fridge made a big pitcher of koolaid and we have a case of water as well my rechargeable lantern is ready, an flash lights have batterys so we should be good. even though the end spot for Sandy is Elmira New York which just happens to be 10 miles from my house and 10 miles down the river from my parents. im hoping it doesnt follow the river cause there right in the path if it does.

 

This storm is so large its affect will be felt in southern lower Michigan where I live.We already have had winds up to 35mph from the storm increasing to gust over 50mph tomorrow and the day after.We may get some rain and bit of wet snow at times.

 

Sandys coverage

 

That's just incredible. Then add to it when Sandy hits Monday, there's a full moon = high tide as well.