Electric cars have been causing fires after being submerged in salt water since Hurricane Helene brought devastating flooding to the state.
Electric Vehicles that have been flooded in saltwater can catch fire. If you evacuated and left an electric vehicle or golf cart in your garage or under a building and you are not able to get to it or move it, we want you to let us know. /1 pic.twitter.com/dpfiXRAGuR
— Pinellas County (@PinellasGov) September 28, 2024
St. Petersburg Fire Rescue urges residents with electric vehicles to refrain from charging or attempting to drive them if they were exposed to salt water.
And the danger isn't over just because the storm has passed. Officials warn that the fires can happen days or even weeks later. This is even true for golf carts.
SPFR wrote on Facebook, "Saltwater flooding can cause hidden damage to your electric vehicle's battery, even if it appears normal. This corrosion can lead to dangerous fires days or even weeks later."
A state report says hundreds of frail elderly nursing home residents were stacked side by side, head to toe in a small church with no working air conditioning or refrigerator during Hurricane Helene.
