Due to the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, North Carolina has intense flooding resulting in cars being submerged in water. Here at Direct Connect, we will tell you what to do if you are stuck in this situation. According to AAA, it is best to try not to start your car that’s been under water until a technician cleans and inspects your car. You want to be sure that your vehicle is first safe to operate. A statistic from the National Weather Service states, “Nearly half of all flood-related deaths occur in vehicles.”

What are the Mechanical Effects?

The mechanical effects of a vehicle being submerged under water can greatly damage car parts from damage done by the salt water. The flood water is mixed with dirt that will corrode upholstery, carpets, and get into every little surface of the vehicle. What is most likely to fail inside the vehicle are the power steering, electrical systems, brakes or transmission and fuel.

What is the Aesthetic Damage to the Exterior?

Some of the damages due to floods are water marks and lines, rusting of the paint, nuts and bolts can seize, and underneath the car can corrode parts and cause damage to the engine. Be sure to inspect underneath the car to clear out mud stuck in car parts. There may also be signs of rust around the wheels and the dashboard.

Interior

The effects on the interior are water marks or spots on the carpets and car seats, mold or mildew forming on carpets and upholstery causing odors and health problems if inside the vehicle before cleaned. If you smell a strong, musty smell, that means your vehicle has developed mold. If you have a smell that you need remove, you can contact a professional service like The Odor Doctors, or try some techniques to remove odors on your own. In some cases, the damage may be too severe that you may need to cut out the carpets and replace with new ones. You will need to dry out your car and deodorize it with an ingredient like baking soda.

Resale Value
Before getting in the car, connect the battery, start the engine, and check for any warnings on the dashboard that happened prior to flooding. A mechanic should perform a safety inspection before trying to sell your car. There is a potential that the airbag can malfunction, causing the seller to lose a lot of money on the retail value. If the car was flooded by fresh water, it is far less damaging than salt water. Mud and debris leave a waterline on the outside of the car, and if water did not rise past the door, you should be fine to sell your car. Many insurance companies consider a car totaled if the water rises up to meet the bottom of the dashboard. You can always clean a car up and reconstruct it for reselling if it is not too damaged.