Back in 2000, I was doing the daily drive to Canterbury, usually across several small rivers, streams really, near Smarden and thereabouts.
When we were all hit with rain in Kent that October 31st, I was on my way home in the dark avoiding all the puddles, but in a car, new to me (an automatic).
When I saw a huge flowing puddle by a little bridge near 'The Smarden Bell' pub (Mum will know it), I stopped, then saw some tail lights in the distance, so went for it, but on auto, not 1st gear.
Wrong thing to do. Bow wave over bonnet, stalled the car and water immediately came up to the top of the seats. Should have put it in first then burst through, but didn't know that.
Had to get out quick as the car was slowly moving sideways, but stopped thankfully. Got everything up on the roof, then implored a 4x4 driver to tow me out, which he did, with dribbling thanks from a soaked Growster! Car was a write-off, and smelt awful when I collected what was left of my stuff a week later!
Moral of the story? When it rains, nature likes to feed little streams which join into rivers, which turn into torrents, which break their banks, then cause Growsters mayhem, and all because of some vanishing tail-lights...