As communities across Massachusetts and Rhode Island clean up after torrential rains and devastating flooding, AAA Northeast is offering motorists advice on how to avoid vehicular flood damage and what to do when roads become inundated during severe weather.

 Even what looks like shallow flood water can cause significant damage to a vehicle. Just six inches of standing water can cause a car to literally float out of control and stall an engine. And flooded roads can be deadly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into flood water. 

AAA offers these reminders:

Behind the Wheel:

• An engine can ingest water even driving through what looks like a deep puddle. If this happens, the engine can become hydro-locked and be destroyed.
• Even large SUVs may not be capable of driving through deep water. Many stranded motorists overestimate their vehicle’s capabilities.
• Deep puddles might be hiding sinkholes that could be several feet deep. Don’t take any chances!
• Never ignore warning signs or roadblocks. Local first responders put them there because people regularly get stranded at these locations
• Pay attention to emergency weather alerts and take them seriously. Roads can become flooded within minutes of a downpour.
• Be extra careful at night when it’s harder to recognize flood dangers.
• Don’t feel pressured to drive through floodwater just because other people are doing it. Turn around and find another route or wait until the road becomes passable again.
• Turn on your headlights. In many states, including Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the law requires headlights to be on when wipers are activated.
• Slow down! Hydroplaning risks increase with speed. A car can hydroplane in as little as one-sixteenth of an inch of water.

When Parked:

• If your parked car ends up in deep water, don’t try to retrieve it until the water recedes.
• Seek higher ground: stalled cars can be swept away if flood waters continue to rise. And seek out higher ground when parking and leaving a vehicle for an extended period when storms are in the forecast.
• Avoid parking in low-lying areas, above sewer grates and storm drains or next to ponds, streams and other bodies of water that might spill over.
• Pay attention to emergency weather alerts and take them seriously. Roads can become flooded within minutes of a downpour.
• Stay home: if you don’t have to drive, wait until the storm passes. And when the rain stops, give drainage systems time to catch up. Sometimes floodwaters continue to rise hours after the last drops fall.

After Rain: 

• After driving through deep water, your brakes will be wet and might not perform as expected right away. Gently apply the brakes and brake early and gently to dry them off.
• Hot brake rotors can be warped or damaged when they come in contact with cold flood water.
• If your car is submerged while parked and the engine was not turned on, have the car towed to a trusted repair facility to be inspected and serviced before attempting to start the car. Draining and replacing engine oil, coolant and other fluids may be required if the car is repairable.
• Before attempting to start a flood-damaged car, check all mechanical components and systems that contain fluids for water contamination.
• Take detailed photos of the car, inside and out, before attempting cleaning or repairs.
• Inspect, clean and dry any electrical system components and connections.
• If water entered the passenger cabin, use a vacuum designed to suck up water to thoroughly clean the carpets and seats.
• Look under carpeting and trunk liners for standing water, such as in the spare tire well.
• Check under the dashboard for signs of water damage.
• Call your insurance company. Hopefully, you have comprehensive coverage, which will cover repairs to a flood damaged vehicle. But in many cases, the damage will exceed the vehicle’s value and be considered a total loss.
• Even minor flood damage can cause a vehicle to be totaled by an insurance company. Water damage may not be immediately apparent. Over time, components that were exposed to water can corrode, causing frustrating and expensive problems down the road.
• Moisture trapped deep in the recesses of a car can be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Pay attention to any odors and moisture on interior surfaces, particularly when the car is parked with the windows closed for a period of time.