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It is estimated that more than 350,000 vehicles may have been
damaged by the storm.
Automotive experts say floodwaters can destroy, sometimes
slowly, electronics, lubricants and mechanical systems in
vehicles.
Carfax reports nearly 400,000 flooded cars were back on U.S.
roads in 2021 because inevitably after a storm vehicles damaged
in floods are often taken to other states.
Emilie Voss, public relations director at Carfax, said Illinois
is in the top ten with the number of flood-damaged cars on the
roadways.
“Ninth in the nation with about 13,300 statewide on the roads
before Hurricane Ian that we know of that had some kind of flood
event in their past,” said Voss.
Buyers are being urged to research a used car’s vehicle history
report to make sure they know what they are buying. Through
services like Carfax or the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s
VINCheck, buyers can see if there’s anything in a vehicle's
history that raises a red flag.
Voss said it may be a good idea to have the vehicle thoroughly
checked out by a mechanic.
“We recommend that people take that car for an independent
inspection,” said Voss. “A trained mechanic has the eye to see
things that you or I might not find.”
Voss adds the easiest flood damage test is also the most telling
and that is the smell test. Mildew and mold have a distinct
smell, and even trace amounts of either are pretty apparent.
Other signs include mud or silt in the glove compartment or
under the seats, brittle wires under the dashboard, and fog or
moisture beads in the interior exterior lights.
With the uptake of drivers buying electric vehicles, there is
another hazard from flood-damaged cars. Firefighters in western
Florida are responding to numerous calls concerning electric
vehicle fires.
Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s state fire marshal shared videos on
Twitter of fire crews putting out electric vehicle fires. He
said when the batteries corrode after contracting salt water,
they can start fires and be difficult to extinguish. Patronis
called them “ticking time bombs.”
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in
Illinois for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of
experience in radio news reporting throughout the Midwest.
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