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Pinellas County warns about electric vehicle dangers after Hurricane Helene
A Tesla caught fire in a garage after being submerged in floodwaters
Electric vehicle owners urged to keep vehicles out of water to avoid fire risk
Article
A Florida county is warning homeowners about potential dangers from electric vehicles after floodwaters from Hurricane Helene resulted in a house burning down. The county shared a video on social media showing the moment a Tesla caught fire inside a family’s garage. The footage shows the car submerged in water from the storm before flames spark underneath the vehicle, rapidly growing and filling the garage with smoke. The family, who was asleep at the time of the fire, managed to escape as the fire consumed the structure in less than 15 minutes. The Sarasota County Fire Department responded to the scene, but the house, which had recently undergone a three-year renovation, was destroyed.
The Siesta Key family recounted the terrifying ordeal, with one of the homeowners expressing relief that they were alive but devastated by the loss of everything they had invested in the house. They shared that they built the home for their family over 38 years, making the loss even more heartbreaking. The grandchildren were the first to notice the fire and quickly escaped the house upon discovering the fire, narrowly avoiding potential harm. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged electric vehicle owners to take precautions and move their vehicles to higher ground before Hurricane Helene struck. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for electric vehicle owners in flood-prone areas to take necessary steps to protect their vehicles from potential damage.
Electric vehicle safety guidelines recommend not operating the vehicle once it has been submerged in water to prevent the risk of fire. Tesla advises users to contact first responders if they observe smoke, popping sounds, or heating coming from the vehicle. Once the vehicle is no longer submerged, users are advised not to attempt to operate it and instead safely tow or move the vehicle at least 50 feet away from structures and other combustible materials. Keeping electric vehicles out of water is crucial in preventing fires and other potential safety hazards, as the recent incident in Florida highlighted.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region as a major Category 4 hurricane, resulting in at least 143 deaths in six states. The storm has caused widespread destruction and displaced hundreds of people, with many reported missing in the aftermath of the hurricane. Officials in multiple states continue to assess the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Helene and are working to locate and rescue missing individuals. The devastation caused by the storm serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness and safety measures in the face of natural disasters, particularly in areas prone to flooding and other climate-related events.
The incident involving the Tesla catching fire in a flooded garage underscores the unique safety concerns associated with electric vehicles in extreme weather conditions. The risk of fire increases when electric vehicles are submerged in water, particularly in saltwater, as highlighted by the warning issued by Pinellas County. The county urged residents who were unable to move their electric vehicles to higher ground before the storm to contact authorities for assistance. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for electric vehicle owners to take proactive steps to protect their vehicles and properties during extreme weather events to prevent similar accidents from occurring.
In conclusion, the incident involving a Tesla catching fire in a flooded garage during Hurricane Helene serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with electric vehicles in extreme weather conditions. The devastation caused by the storm in Florida and other states underscores the importance of preparedness and safety measures in the face of natural disasters. Electric vehicle owners in flood-prone areas should take precautions to protect their vehicles from water damage and potential fires to ensure the safety of themselves and their properties. The response to Hurricane Helene highlights the need for proactive measures to mitigate the risks associated with extreme weather events and to ensure the safety and well-being of communities affected by such disasters.
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