A Tesla electric car parked in a garage flooded with salt water from Hurricane Helen in Florida caught fire, prompting authorities to issue a warning to electric car owners in areas affected by the storm.
W.F.L.A. report Dramatic surveillance footage released by authorities in Pinellas County, Florida, shows the moment a parked Tesla spontaneously combusts inside a garage flooded by Hurricane Helen. The video shows how the fire started under the electric car and quickly spread, with the car completely engulfed in flames within just a minute and thick smoke filling the cluttered garage space. Ta.
This alarming incident occurred after Hurricane Helen hit southeastern states including Florida and North Carolina, causing extensive flooding in many areas. In the wake of the Tesla fire, Pinellas County officials shared video footage on Facebook warning electric vehicle owners about the potential risks associated with hurricane water damage.
“Electric vehicles submerged in salt water can catch fire,” the Pinellas County government warned in a Facebook post Saturday. “If you evacuated and left your electric vehicle or golf cart in a garage or under a building and you are unable to get there or move it, please let us know.”
The authorities further advised EV owners to take necessary precautions to prevent similar fire hazards. They strongly recommended that electric cars and e-bikes not be charged, driven or stored inside the home or garage if they are exposed to saltwater flooding. The county emphasized that electric vehicles that have been submerged in water must be moved at least 50 feet away from flammable materials and towed to a dealer for a thorough safety inspection before being driven again.
Breitbart News previously reported on the dangers of EV batteries exposed to salt water. In 2022, Florida Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis wrote an urgent letter to NHTSA asking for guidance on how to address the threat of rainwater-induced EV fires.
“The State Fire Marshal's Office needs immediate guidance on responding to fires involving electric vehicles (EVs) as a result of corrosion of lithium batteries due to exposure to salt water,” Patronis said. letter.
Last week in Florida, an electric car was submerged in water and caught fire after being hit by Hurricane Ian, giving firefighters “a new challenge they've never faced before,” Patronis said. Ta.
“I joined North Collier Fire and Rescue to assess response efforts regarding Hurricane Ian, and watched as EVs continued to ignite and reignite as firefighters doused tens of thousands of gallons of water on vehicles. I saw it with my own eyes,” Patronis continued. His letter to NHTSA.
read more Click here for WFLA.
Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering free speech and online censorship issues.
