When Flash Floods Strike: Your Vehicle’s Lifeline Depends on Professional Flood Damage Towing
Flash floods are among nature’s most unpredictable and dangerous disasters, capable of transforming familiar streets into raging torrents within minutes. During July alone, 1,434 flash flood warnings were issued—the second-highest July total in 40 years, with flash floods being the #1 cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. When your vehicle becomes trapped in rising floodwaters, understanding the critical importance of professional flood damage towing can mean the difference between salvaging your car and facing a total loss.
The Immediate Danger: Why You Must Never Drive a Flood-Damaged Vehicle
The worst thing you can do to a flooded vehicle is try to drive it. Even if your car appears to be running after flood exposure, attempting to start or drive it can cause catastrophic engine damage. Even if your car was partially submerged, starting the engine could cause serious damage. If the car is flooded, starting the vehicle will move water through the engine and could leave your car unusable.
Water and engines are fundamentally incompatible. Water can’t be compressed like air, and if it gets into the engine, it can lead to bent connecting rods, a cracked engine block, or a hydro-locked engine. The financial implications are severe—the repair costs can be astronomical.
Critical First Steps After Flood Exposure
When floodwaters recede and you discover your vehicle has been affected, time is of the essence. Start drying out your vehicle as quickly as possible, and contact a towing service to get it back to higher ground. However, before any towing occurs, certain preparations may be necessary. Oil, transmission fluid and lube may need draining before a tow.
Professional assessment is crucial at this stage. Call a repair facility for guidance and to see if they are accepting flood-damaged vehicles before arranging for a tow. This preliminary consultation can save valuable time and ensure your vehicle receives appropriate handling from the moment it’s moved.
Documentation is equally important for insurance purposes. Take photographs of any visible damage, including water inside and around the vehicle if you can safely do that. Take note of the water line on your car to get an idea of how deep your car was submerged. This information will be vital for insurance claims and repair assessments.
The Science of Flood Damage: Understanding What’s at Stake
Flood damage extends far beyond what’s visible on the surface. Water can destroy electrical and mechanical systems and lubricants and cause mold, rust, and corrosion over time. Modern vehicles are particularly vulnerable due to their complex electronic systems. Many cars have safety features in the wiring systems, sensors and electronic modules running throughout the vehicles, including behind the bumpers and fenders. Water intrusion into those systems can cause serious, costly and potentially unrepairable damage.
The type of water matters significantly. Submersion of a vehicle in salt water — which is more damaging than fresh water — makes the chances of corrosion much higher. Quickly drying a car flooded by salt water is especially important, because salt water is very corrosive.
Professional Towing: The Safe Solution
When dealing with flood-damaged vehicles, professional towing services become absolutely essential. If it needs to be moved, have it towed or shipped by a professional auto transporter. The expertise required goes beyond standard towing procedures, as flood-damaged vehicles present unique challenges and safety considerations.
Emergency towing companies like On Time Emergency Roadside And Battery Service LLC understand these complexities. They have the knowledge and experience to handle roadside assistance in Maricopa County, including battery replacement, lockout, and jump start, striving to provide quality services promptly as a leading and trusted name in the industry. The professionals at On Time Emergency Roadside And Battery Service have experience towing any type of car in all situations, with licensed tow truck drivers who understand highway safety standards and how to handle your car in an emergency.
Timing Is Everything: The 24/7 Reality of Flood Emergencies
Flash floods don’t follow business hours, and neither should your towing service. Professional towing companies provide services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, offering 24/7 roadside assistance. This around-the-clock availability is crucial because towing after a flood affects your vehicle and should be done as soon as possible. Corrosion and rust will set in immediately.
The urgency extends beyond just preventing further damage. Standing water and excessive moisture in your car can quickly lead to corrosion and mold that result in permanent damage. Every hour that passes without proper intervention increases the likelihood that your vehicle will be declared a total loss.
Insurance Considerations and Total Loss Scenarios
Understanding insurance implications is crucial when dealing with flood-damaged vehicles. Minor flooding that’s quickly drained can often be repaired, but vehicles that are severely flooded or sit in water for days are often considered unrepairable by insurance companies, which leads to the car being declared a total loss. Flooded cars are often declared a total loss because repairing water damage is complicated and costly.
The cost of repairing flood damage is often more than the value of the vehicle itself and insurance will declare it a total loss. However, having comprehensive coverage is essential, as flood damage to your car is often covered if you have comprehensive insurance, which protects against floods, fires, theft, and other non-crash events.
Choosing the Right Towing Partner
When selecting a towing service for flood-damaged vehicles, experience and reliability are paramount. Based in Arizona’s Maricopa County, On Time Emergency Roadside And Battery Service LLC has built a reputation for dependable emergency response. With 13 years of experience in roadside assistance, they specialize in mobile auto service in the Phoenix metro area, offering services such as Jump Start Service, Battery Replacement, Vehicle Lockout, Fuel Delivery and Tire change service.
The company’s commitment to customer service extends beyond basic towing. Their customer service and approach to roadside assistance have provided consistently satisfactory services over the years, providing exceptional services using innovative methods as part of their commitment to valued customers.
Prevention and Preparedness
While professional towing services provide crucial assistance after flood damage occurs, prevention remains the best strategy. A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks. The National Weather Service’s “Turn Around Don’t Drown” campaign emphasizes this critical safety message.
However, when prevention fails and your vehicle becomes flood-damaged, immediate action is essential. If your vehicle became submerged and the engine stopped, DO NOT try to restart your car. Excess water can cause a variety of issues to different aspects of your vehicle, including the engine, electrical systems, fuel line, and filters. Instead, contact a towing service.
Flash floods represent one of nature’s most sudden and destructive forces, capable of turning routine drives into emergency situations within minutes. When your vehicle falls victim to floodwaters, professional flood damage towing isn’t just a convenience—it’s a necessity that can determine whether your car can be salvaged or becomes a total loss. By understanding the critical importance of immediate professional intervention and choosing experienced towing services like On Time Emergency Roadside And Battery Service LLC, you give your vehicle the best chance of recovery while ensuring your safety throughout the process.