What to do with your car in a Flood situation

Low Flood

Immersion in water can wreak havoc with a car, especially the engine, electrical system, and interior. If your car has been immersed in water more than halfway up its wheels, follow these ten steps to assess and address the damage.

1. Do not attempt to start the car! It's tempting to turn the key and see if the car still works, but if there is water in the engine, attempting to start it could damage it beyond repair.

I've outlined a few basic checks below, but if in doubt, its best to have the car towed to a mechanic.

2. Determine how deep the car was submerged. Mud and debris usually leave a waterline on the car, inside as well as out. If the water didn't rise above bottom of the doors, your car will probably be fine. Most insurance companies will consider the car totaled (damaged beyond economically-reasonable repair) if water reaches the bottom of the dashboard.

3. Call your insurance company. Flood damage is generally covered by comprehensive (fire and theft) insurance, so even if you don't have collision coverage, you may be covered for repairs or replacement. Your insurance company will probably be flooded (sorry) with claims, so it's a good idea to start the process early. (More about floods and car insurance)

4. Start drying the interior. If water got inside the car, mold will grow quickly. Start by opening the doors and windows and putting towels on the floor to soak up water, but you should plan on replacing anything that got wet, including carpets, floor mats, door panels, seat padding and upholstery.

Remember, these repairs are likely to be covered by your comprehensive insurance.

5. Check the oil and the air cleaner. If you see droplets of water on the dipstick or the level of the oil is high, or if the air filter has water in it, do not attempt to start the engine. Have it towed to a mechanic to have the water cleared and the fluids changed.

(Hard-core do-it-yourselfers can try changing the oil then removing the spark plugs and cranking the engine to blow out the water, but we still recommend leaving this to a mechanic.)

6. Check all the other fluids. Fuel systems on late-model cars are usually sealed, but older cars may need to have their fuel systems drained. Brake, clutch, power steering and coolant reservoirs should be checked for contamination.

7. Check all of the electrical systems. If the engine looks OK to start, check everything electrical: Headlights, turn signals, air conditioning, stereo, power locks, windows and seats, even the interior lights. If you note anything even slightly amiss -- including the way the car runs or the transmission shifts -- that could be a sign of electrical trouble. Take the car to a mechanic, and remember that the damage may be covered by insurance.

8. Check around the wheels and tires. Before attempting to move the car, look for debris lodged around the wheels, brakes and underbody. (Set the parking brake before crawling around the wheels!)

9. If in doubt, push to have the car totalled. A flood-damaged car can experience problems months or even years after the event. If your car is a borderline case, consider pushing your insurance company to declare the car a total loss.

Replacing it will cost money, but you may save yourself from some major (and expensive) headaches down the road.

10. Beware of flood-damaged replacements. Many cars that are totaled due to flooding are simply cleaned up and re-sold. Before buying a used car, have the title checked; words like "salvage" and "flood damage" are giant red flags. Get a comprehensive history on the car -- if the car has been moved from another state and re-titled (especially a state that has been subject to flooding just before the title change), the seller may be trying to hide flood damage.

Flash Flood

"Flash floods occur when excessive water fills normally dry creeks or river beds along with currently flowing creeks and rivers, causing rapid rises of water in a short amount of time," NOAA states on its website. "They can happen with little or no warning."

"The single worst decision you can make in a flash flood is driving your vehicle into floodwaters of unknown depth," The Weather Channel warns. "It's easy to misjudge the depth of floodwater, particularly at night."

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, just 6 inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger vehicles and cause of loss of control and steering, while 1 foot of water can cause many vehicles to float away, and 2 feet is enough to sweep away most vehicles — even SUVs and pickup trucks.

On  average, 75 people were killed by flash floods annually between 2004 and 2013, and between 1995 and 2010 two-thirds of flash-flood fatalities occurred in vehicles, according to The Weather Channel.

Heed the following do's and don'ts of what to do if you find yourself trapped in your car in fast-rising water:

Do's

•       Stay calm. You'll need your wits about you.
•      Turn on your headlights and hazard lights. This will make it easier for emergency personnel to see you.
•       Unbuckle your seat belt.
•       Unlock your doors.
•       Take jackets and outer clothing off.
•       Lower your window slowly. Most electric windows should work unless the car is completely submerged in water.
•       If you can lower the windows, climb out. Get to high ground and call the emergency                   number.
•       If the windows will not open, you'll have to use a door to get out. But you won't be able to         open a door until the water pressure is equalized between the outside and the inside of the         car. This means you'll have to wait for water to enter the car and fill up to about your neck         level (this sounds terrifying, but this is the only way the doors will open).
•       Once the doors are open, swim to safety and call the emergency number.

 Don'ts

•        Do not panic.
•        Do not use your energy trying to open the doors because water pressure will keep them              from budging (wait for the pressure to equalize).
•        Do not try to save your possessions.
•        Do not try to break windows to get out. If water pressure has not equalized, glass will                explode inward toward you or other occupants.
•        Once out, do not stay with your car. Get to high ground.
•        Do not stand on the roof of your car. If your car is swept away, you'll be carried away with        it. You could also fall and injure yourself if the car shifts abruptly.
•        Do not return to your car if you think the water level is going down. Water levels could rise        without warning. Allow emergency personnel to tow your vehicle to a safe place.