In just a few days, Muncie has gone from "quiet Midwestern town" to "flooded Midwestern town."
The typical photos have appeared -- guys canoeing down streets and so on. But as the rains continue, for the most part Muncie officials and residents are handling the situation well.
But it's times like these when a little common sense can go a long way.
Although SUVs and pickup trucks can drive through a great deal of water, all motorists would do well to exercise more caution while on the roads.
The most obvious reminder is to refrain from driving down flooded streets. Motorists often can't tell how deep floodwaters are until their vehicles are stalled, underwater or both.
Simply, if you need to reach a destination in a flooded area, either park and walk around it or just pick another route. If you drive down flooded streets, you're doing so at your own risk.
Street safety is an issue. With little effort, vehicles can splash gallons of water across lanes of traffic or over a city sidewalk.
Drivers of oncoming vehicles and pedestrians need some courtesy. Splashing pedestrians may be funny to drivers, but they're usually the only ones laughing. And showering an oncoming car is just dangerous. Drivers can lose control -- not a good thing to do to an oncoming vehicle.
If you must drive through large puddles, take it slow and spare the people around you.
It seems silly to have to remind people, but these things happen every time.
Speaking of silly but necessary reminders -- it's a good idea to stay out of the floodwaters, which can contain sewage, herbicides, pesticides, garbage and dead animals. A recent study of the White River found small quantities of E. coli bacteria.
This is not swimming water. Stay out of it.
With common sense and caution, these flooded times can be a little easier. Be careful, and happy canoeing.
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