Firefighters Warn of EV and Boat Fires During Hurricane Season Due to Flooding

Preparing for Hurricane Season

• ⚠️ Fire officials are urging boat and electric vehicle (EV) owners in the Tampa Bay area to prepare for potential hurricane impacts, especially flooding.
• 💡 Last year, at least six fires statewide were caused by saltwater flooding into EV batteries, highlighting a preventable danger.

EV Fire Risks and Prevention

• ⚡ Saltwater intrusion into EV batteries can quickly ignite fires, which are difficult to extinguish with normal firefighting methods due to the dense energy source.
• 🚗 Firefighters recommend EV owners move their vehicles to higher ground at the first sign of flooding threats, suggesting options like leaving them with friends or in public parking garages.
• 🏠 Keeping EVs inside garages during storms is discouraged, especially if they cannot be moved to higher ground.

Boat Safety During Storms

• 🛥️ Owners of boats are also advised to move their vessels to higher ground before a storm.
• ⚓ If evacuation is not possible, boat owners should tie down vessels, use bumpers, remove electronics, and turn off breakers to mitigate damage and prevent them from ending up inside homes.

Growing EV Share and Firefighter Challenges

• 📈 The share of electric vehicles in the US has increased significantly, with EVs now making up 7% of cars, meaning firefighters will face these challenges more frequently.
• 🚒 The relatively new technology of EVs presents unique challenges for firefighters due to the protected and dense nature of their batteries.

Lessons from Past Storms

• 🌊 Past storms like Colleen and Milton served as major wake-up calls, emphasizing the need for proactive preparation to avoid similar devastation.
• 🎯 By raising awareness while the weather is good, officials hope to reduce stress and prevent major incidents when storms hit.