last posts

What’s Gonna Happen to Cars After Florida's Hurricane?

 So, you're probably wondering, what's the fate of cars after that hurricane hit Florida? Yeah, it's a mess down there, and honestly, things don’t look good for thousands of vehicles.

After every big storm, especially hurricanes, there's always that major concern about the flooded cars—the ones that were submerged under water, sometimes for hours, even days. Most of the time, these vehicles become pretty much useless. Once water gets into the engine, interior, and electrical systems, it’s game over.


What’s Gonna Happen to Cars After Florida's Hurricane?
What’s Gonna Happen to Cars After Florida's Hurricane?



Here’s the deal with cars post-hurricane:

Flood Damage: Water is the big enemy here, folks. When water, especially saltwater, floods a car, it messes up EVERYTHING. I mean, engine? Gone. Wiring? Fried. That new car smell? Yeah, good luck with that.

Rust & Corrosion: Ever had that one small rust spot on your car that just wouldn’t go away? Imagine that but like everywhere. Once water gets into the nooks and crannies, it’s only a matter of time before rust takes over. And it doesn’t take long for it to make a car unsafe or just straight-up ugly.

Resale Nightmares: Here’s the sneaky part. Some folks try to clean these cars up and sell them to unsuspecting buyers. You might think you’re getting a deal, but if it was sitting in floodwater, it could have serious long-term issues that aren’t immediately obvious.


What’s Gonna Happen to Cars After Florida's Hurricane?
What’s Gonna Happen to Cars After Florida's Hurricane?

So what happens to all these cars?

unkyards & Scrap: Most cars that get flooded during hurricanes are written off by insurance companies as total losses. They end up in junkyards or get scrapped for parts. You might see their bits and pieces on other cars down the line, but the car itself? It’s toast.

Exporting: Believe it or not, some of these flood-damaged cars get shipped overseas. Yeah, they end up in markets where regulations aren’t as strict. Buyers there might fix them up, but the original issues? Still there, just masked.

Salvage Auctions: Some people see these wrecked cars as a challenge. They buy ‘em cheap from salvage auctions, attempt repairs, and then sell them. But lemme tell ya, fixing a flood-damaged car isn’t easy, and you might end up spending more than it’s worth.

What’s Gonna Happen to Cars After Florida's Hurricane?
What’s Gonna Happen to Cars After Florida's Hurricane?

Can Anything Be Done?

Well, prevention's key. If you live in a hurricane-prone area like Florida, keeping your car in a garage or elevated area can help avoid some of that flood damage. But let's be real, when nature decides to strike, there’s only so much you can do.

Now, if your car did get flooded, don’t just assume it’s a goner. Sometimes, if the water didn’t reach the engine or electricals, you might have a chance. But don’t DIY this—take it to a professional to assess the damage.

Bottom line? Flooded cars are usually done for. They’re expensive to fix and could cause more headaches than they’re worth. If you're in the market for a used car post-hurricane, be careful! Check that VIN history and avoid cars with a suspicious past.

Got a car that’s seen better days after a hurricane? Maybe time to say goodbye and start fresh... just don't let the next one get washed away! 😬




Comments



Font Size
+
16
-
lines height
+
2
-