Summary
- Firefighters were unable to reach some house fires during Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters
- Tampa Mayor Jane Castor speculated that an electric vehicle inside a garage caught fire due to water mixing with ion batteries
- Several rentable electric scooters exploded after being submerged by floodwaters
- Lithium-ion batteries in items such as cell phones, laptops, and electric vehicles pose a danger when exposed to floods, creating a risk of fires
- Florida authorities have issued warnings about the dangers of saltwater exposure triggering combustion in lithium-ion batteries, leading to fires in electric vehicles
Article
Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters caused issues for firefighters trying to reach house fires in Tampa, keeping them away from some blazes. Mayor Jane Castor speculated that an electric vehicle inside a garage in the upscale Davis Islands neighborhood may have caught fire due to the storm surge. She mentioned that water and ion batteries do not mix well, as they can explode, potentially causing the destructive blaze. Additionally, several electric scooters also reportedly exploded after being submerged by floodwaters, raising concerns about the safety of lithium-ion batteries in such situations.
The exact cause of the house fire in Davis Islands is still being investigated, but it is believed to be related to an electric vehicle catching fire. Another electric vehicle in the same neighborhood also caught fire, although it was not near the home that burned down. In response to concerns about battery-related incidents, scooter companies Lime and Spin reassured the public that safety is a top priority. Spin mentioned that their scooter fleet had been disabled and secured before the storm hit, and they had not experienced any battery-related incidents with their owned vehicles. They emphasized that their batteries are specifically designed for safety and durability.
Lithium-ion batteries power many everyday devices and vehicles, from cell phones to electric vehicles, and are known to pose a fire hazard when exposed to floods. Rob Herrin, public safety information chief for Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, highlighted the danger of lithium-ion batteries due to the high energy and heat they generate when released unexpectedly. Following Hurricane Ian in 2022, which caused 20 electric cars to catch fire after flooding with salt water, concerns have grown about the risks associated with electric vehicles in flooded areas.
There have been several instances of electric vehicle fires following hurricanes and severe weather events, prompting warnings from authorities about the dangers of exposing lithium-ion batteries to saltwater. Florida’s Palm Harbor Fire Rescue issued a warning after Hurricane Idalia last year, advising owners of hybrid or electric vehicles to relocate their vehicles if they have come into contact with saltwater due to flooding within the last 24 hours. The agency emphasized the risk of combustion in lithium-ion batteries due to saltwater exposure, highlighting the need to prevent potential fires by moving vehicles to higher ground as soon as possible.
The incidents of electric vehicle fires during and after severe weather events serve as a reminder of the unique challenges that first responders face in dealing with such emergencies. Firefighters and authorities are adapting to the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles on the roads and the potential risks associated with their batteries in flood-prone areas. As the adoption of electric vehicles continues to grow, the need for awareness and preparedness for battery-related incidents in emergency situations becomes increasingly important for public safety.
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