Florida officials warn of electric vehicle fires caused by Hurricane Milton

Written by Chase Smith via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

Officials in Florida have warned about the fire risk of electric vehicles (EVs) being swamped by floodwaters as Hurricane Milton began its assault on the Sunshine State on October 9.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor reminded residents early Wednesday during a news conference that city garages remained open and specifically urged electric vehicle owners to take advantage of the upper floors in garages to avoid flooding and fire hazards.

“You can place your electric vehicles high,” Castor said at the press conference. “Make sure you raise all those electrical batteries and electrical appliances as well, because once those batteries catch fire, they cannot be extinguished.”

She added that during Hurricane Helene two weeks ago, some homes were lost to fires caused by electric vehicles flooded by saltwater.

Ahead of that storm, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also warned residents about the risk of fire from electric vehicles and flood water, because contact with salt water can short out batteries, causing a chain reaction known as thermal runaway, in which heat energy is released. of the battery, which may cause a fire.

The City of Tampa’s Mobility Department noted that all parking fees have been eliminated in anticipation of Hurricane Milton to encourage more EV users to take advantage of above-ground parking.

“During Hurricane Helene, at least two house fires were caused by electric vehicle batteries coming into contact with floodwaters“, the city added in a message to residents on Wednesday.

Tampa’s warning to its residents is an example of broader concerns about EV-related flood and fire risk, as Florida CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis on Monday called on EV manufacturers to take steps to protect lives during Hurricane Milton.

“The State Fire Marshal’s Office of the CFO has confirmed this 48 lithium-ion battery fires linked to storm surge from Hurricane Helene, 11 of which are associated with electric vehicles,” the agency said in a fire safety alert for Florida residents. “Consumer items that contain lithium-ion batteries include cars, scooters, hoverboards, golf carts or children’s toys. The CFO also called on EV manufacturers to be proactive in warning consumers to place their EVs on higher ground.”

Patronis said if residents have any of these vehicles, scooters, hoverboards, golf carts or children’s toys affected by flooding, they should be disconnected and moved safely away from homes and apartments and into open spaces.

“If a vehicle requires towing, contact a reputable towing company in your area to safely remove it from your property.he added. “EVs and lithium battery powered devices cannot be disposed of in a normal car park or rubbish bin, so you may also want to check with your local authority about the best locations for safe disposal.”

He also made a plea to EV manufacturers in the United States to be proactive in informing their customers about such risks.

“As I have said before, these compromised vehicles and devices are ticking time bombs, and my office will continue to work with federal, state and local officials to ensure consumers and first responders are aware of these fire hazards following Hurricane Milton, Patronis added. “If you have an electric car flooded by salt water after the storm and it remains in your garage or near your home, immediately remove it to a safe location so you can worry about repairing it of your home, instead of rebuilding it because of the storm. to fire.”

To ensure safety, the fire chief says all windows and doors should be left open to allow any flammable gases to escape from the vehicle’s passenger compartment.

Other tips include, if stored indoors, moving the vehicle outside if possible; Otherwise, keep the area well ventilated.

Do not charge the vehicle and turn it off by blocking the wheels, putting the gear lever in park and disconnecting the ignition key or the 12V battery.

Avoid contact with high-voltage batteries, especially if there are signs of damage or overheating; and always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for your specific vehicle.

Tesla, one of the most popular EV manufacturers, has published guidelines on its website for owners who have or may encounter flooding. The company recommends moving EVs to a higher area before “immersion” can occur, and immediately step away and contact first responders if one notices “fire, smoke, audible popping/hissing or heating coming from your vehicle’.

Even in the absence of these signs, owners are urged to call their insurance company if water has entered the vehicle’s battery so it can undergo a safety inspection. For Tesla owners, Tesla Service offers an inspection, and Tesla Roadside Assistance can tow the vehicle to a safe distance of 50 feet from any structures or other vehicles.

Similar problems came to light after Hurricane Ian in 2022, when Patronis said many electric cars were disabled.

“As those batteries corrode, fires occur,he said at the time. “That is a new challenge that our firefighters have never had to deal with before. At least on this scale.”

EV fires after hurricanes were first reported after Superstorm Sandy in New Jersey in 2012.

Allen Zhong and Jacob Burg contributed to this report.