A flood watch is issued for Cambria County throughout the weekend. Emergency dispatch officials want drivers to take extra precautions.

Cambria County 9-1-1 dispatch officials said roads that don’t normally flood, could flood this weekend because of the rain and saturated ground.

There’s not only a risk of cars hydroplaning, but there could be damaged or washed out roads, open manholes or debris hiding underneath standing water.

Officials said drivers should drive slowly and stay away from flooded roads because the water may be deeper than it appears.

“Don’t go through it. People think, ‘Oh, it’s not that deep I can still drive through it.’ Six inches of moving water can actually sweep your vehicle away. So when you have that ponded water don’t drive through it and certainly don’t walk through it,” said Cambria County 911 Dispatch Director
Robbin Melnyk.

Dispatch officials also want drivers to report flooded roads if they see them because first responders will know to block off dangerous spots and roads.

The National Weather Service also relies on those local reports to determine if and how long any advisories or warnings need to be issued.