What to Do When a Car Is Flooded?

[DelDawson]

Xiao Yu

[Willa]

During the last heavy rainstorm, my neighbor's car was half submerged in water. The most crucial thing was to escape quickly! If water reaches halfway up the car door, you can't push it open with brute force alone. Stay calm—if the windows are electric, roll them down immediately; if they're manual, use a window breaker to smash the edges. Once out, run to higher ground immediately and forget about the car. Afterward, file an insurance claim and never attempt to restart the engine—if water gets in, the connecting rods will bend. Have the car towed to a repair shop to remove and dry the interior. The sponge layers will rot if left soaked and unremoved. Also, carefully check the wiring for oxidation—I've seen flood-damaged cars suddenly lose all dashboard functions six months later.