Hurricane Milton hit Florida, and residents who own electric vehicles were advised to take precautions. Hillsborough County urged EV owners in flood zones to move their vehicles away from flood areas and storm surge. The County website provided information on electric vehicle hurricane safety, warning EVs left behind during hurricanes should not be plugged into charging stations or parked in garages due to potential fire hazards associated with batteries flooded with saltwater. Owners were advised to keep their electric vehicles at least 50 feet away from buildings and cars.
State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis issued a fire safety alert about lithium-ion batteries, electric vehicles, and the hurricane. He recommended removing an EV that has been flooded by saltwater from a garage or near a home to prevent potential fires. EV owners were warned not to operate or charge their vehicles if they have been damaged by flooding. The Division of State Fire Marshal advised following manufacturer instructions and opening vehicle windows and doors if electric vehicles are damaged by flooding.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office found that over 55,000 electric or hybrid vehicles in Florida were at risk of storm surge from Hurricane Milton. Previously, another hurricane, Helene, caused 11 EV lithium-ion battery fires and 37 non-EV lithium-ion battery blazes in Florida. The potential insured losses from Hurricane Milton were estimated to be between $10 to $20 billion depending on its impact. With the recent frequency of hurricanes hitting Florida, residents were urged to take proper precautions to protect their electric vehicles and homes from potential damages.
It was recommended that EV owners refrain from operating their vehicles if they suspect damage due to flooding. They should also avoid driving through floodwaters and contact emergency services if they believe their battery is damaged. The Florida CFO’s Division of State Fire Marshal warned that in the event of flood conditions, it is important to follow instructions from the manufacturer and allow any flammable gases to vent by opening windows and doors of the vehicle. As the hurricane made its way through Florida, live updates were provided to residents to keep them informed of the situation.
With Hurricane Milton being the second hurricane to hit Florida in less than two weeks, the state was faced with significant insured losses due to electric vehicle and home damages caused by storm surges. The Division of State Fire Marshal advised EV owners to take immediate action to prevent potential fires by moving damaged vehicles to safer locations. It was crucial for EV owners to follow safety guidelines established by emergency services and vehicle manufacturers to minimize risks associated with flooded batteries. The severity of the situation prompted the state of Florida to take proactive measures to protect residents and their properties from the potential dangers posed by hurricanes.
