Commuters Who Drove Through CA Coastal Flood Zones Urged To Get Cars Checked

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — CA drivers who found themselves driving through coastal flood zones during the recent bout of high tides were urged to get their vehicles inspected by AAA representatives.

Kandace Redd of AAA told Patch that salt water exposure can cause severe vehicle damage over time because it accelerates corrosion.

"Saltwater can do serious damage to your vehicle. It speeds up corrosion, which can cause rust, damage brakes, and affect electrical systems. Even after the water dries, salt residue can remain and continue causing damage. Repairs can be costly, and some damage can even compromise your safety," Redd said. "If your vehicle’s undercarriage has been exposed to saltwater, don’t risk driving it. You should have it towed to a qualified mechanic for an inspection to help prevent further damage."

Motorists who have had their cars exposed to floodwater were urged to get their vehicles inspected promptly.

Owners of electric vehicles were urged to take extra care, as salt water can damage electric vehicles and create a slow-forming fire hazard by gradually damaging the battery.

"Saltwater is concerning, especially for electric or hybrid vehicles. It can damage electrical components and the high-voltage battery system," Redd said. "If your EV has been exposed to saltwater, don’t start or charge it. Have it checked by a qualified professional as soon as possible."

Huntington Beach firefighters advised the public that damaged lithium ion batteries can overheat, release toxic gases, ignite, or explode hours, days, weeks or months after a storm.

"A battery can remain hazardous even after it dries out," firefighters said in a statement. "Protect batteries from floodwaters before a storm and treat any water-damaged battery as a potential fire risk."

Megan McKernan, group manager of automotive services at AAA, told The Orange County Register that electric vehicles exposed to salt water should be treated as a safety concern over a potential repair problem.

"There is a big cause for concern, especially if you have an electric or hybrid vehicle," McKernan told the newspaper.

Owners of electric vehicles were strongly advised to take the following precautions:

• Store batteries above potential flood levels.
• Keep batteries and battery-powered equipment in a dry, elevated location where stormwater can't reach.
• Do not charge or use water-damaged equipment.

"With an EV, the danger is not at the moment driving through it, but days or weeks afterwards when that salt starts to dry up — you've created a residue, a perfect conductor to go from the positive side of the battery to the negative side of the battery," Todd Kelm, owner of Gretchen's Automotive in Long Beach, told The OC Register. "You're creating a short circuit that'll overheat the battery and then that'll result in a fire."

The warning extends beyond electric cars, and includes anything with a lithium ion battery.

In Sunset Beach, ABC7 reported that an e-bike caught on fire after being exposed to saltwater. Video footage published by the outlet showed a blackened, charred-up e-bike lying on a flooded roadway in the coastal Orange County neighborhood.

Authorities noted that one should never charge or turn on an e-bike, scooter, power tool, or other battery-operated device exposed to floodwater.

The warning comes following days of record-breaking high tides that triggered flooding in Southern California beach towns.

Newport Beach's Balboa Peninsula saw a record-breaking high tide of 8.4 feet on Tuesday, flooding local streets and inundating some nearby businesses with floodwater.

Video posted by Orange County resident Blair Conklin showed travelers riding the Balboa Ferry trying to navigate through a walkway flooded with almost a foot of water.

The video also showed water gurgling through storm drains, fencing, doorways and more.

In Redondo Beach, salt water surged onto the city's International Boardwalk Tuesday morning, flooding businesses along the waterfront.

One local bar facing costly repairs incurred from the flooding stayed open in spite of the flowing sea water.