Tesla Catches Fire Inside Florida Garage Flooded From Hurricane Helene

A Tesla caught fire inside a garage in Pinellas County, Florida, after floodwaters from Hurricane Helene inundated the parking lot. The garage had been submerged in salt water, which is believed to have triggered the blaze.

Flooded Electric Vehicles Pose Fire Risk

Pinellas County authorities took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share footage of the incident, warning residents about the fire risks associated with electric vehicles (EVs) that have been exposed to saltwater during the storm.

In a series of posts, officials urged residents who evacuated to notify authorities if they had left behind electric vehicles, golf carts, or e-bikes in garages or under buildings that might have been affected by flooding. With roads still being cleared, residents were advised not to return to barrier islands yet. Pinellas County shared a helpline (727 464-4333) for those needing assistance in locating and securing their vehicles, emphasizing that safety measures were still in place to prevent further incidents.

EV Fire Safety Measures

Pinellas County issued a set of safety guidelines for electric vehicle owners following the incident. Residents were strongly advised against charging, driving, or storing EVs and e-bikes in garages or inside homes if they had been flooded. To minimize fire risks, authorities recommended moving the vehicles at least 50 feet away from any combustible materials and having them towed to a dealership for inspection.

This incident underscores the importance of electric vehicle safety in the aftermath of natural disasters, particularly when saltwater exposure is involved. Saltwater can lead to dangerous chemical reactions in electric vehicle batteries, increasing the likelihood of fires. County officials stressed the need for vigilance and urged residents to take immediate action if their vehicles had been compromised by floodwaters.

Hurricane Helene’s Devastation

Hurricane Helene has left a trail of destruction across multiple states in the U.S., with officials confirming at least 116 deaths across six states. Authorities have warned that the death toll could rise as rescue and recovery efforts continue. The storm, which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Florida’s Big Bend region, brought winds of up to 140 mph and caused widespread devastation, particularly in areas vulnerable to flooding.

North Carolina has been hit particularly hard, with catastrophic flooding leaving at least 30 dead and many more missing in just one county. Ryan Cole, an emergency official in Asheville, described the devastation as “biblical,” adding that the storm has been the most significant natural disaster in the region’s history. As efforts continue to clear debris, rescue survivors, and assess the damage, residents across the affected areas are being urged to stay informed and follow safety protocols, especially regarding the use of electric vehicles in flooded regions.