Hurricane season on the Gulf Coast runs from June 1 through November 30, and anyone who's lived around Houston knows the flooding can be as bad as the wind. After storms, I get calls for vehicles that ended up in water or stuck in mud. A little prep goes a long way.
Before the storm
Fill your tank early. Gas lines get long and stations run dry as a storm approaches. A full tank also means you can evacuate or run errands without waiting.
Check the basics. Tires (including the spare), wipers, battery, and fluids. Southeast Texas heat already wears batteries down; you don't want it dying on the evacuation route.
Find higher ground. If your street floods, plan where you'll park before the rain starts: a parking garage, a friend's driveway on higher ground, or a store lot that stays dry. Avoid parking under big trees or next to anything that can blow over.
Protect your paperwork. Put your registration and insurance card in a waterproof bag, and take photos of your car (inside and out) for insurance.
Know your coverage. Flood damage to a car is usually covered under comprehensive insurance, not liability-only. Check your policy now, not after the storm.
During the storm: turn around, don't drown
You've heard it from the National Weather Service, and it's true:
- About 12 inches of moving water can float many cars
- About 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickups
- You can't tell how deep water is, or whether the road underneath is washed out
Underpasses and low spots along the freeways and feeder roads flood fast. If you see water over the road, turn around.
After the flood: don't start it
If your vehicle sat in water deep enough to reach the floorboards or the engine, do not try to start it. Water in the engine can cause hydrolock, where the pistons try to compress water. Starting it can turn a repairable car into a total loss.
Instead:
- Take photos of the waterline inside and outside
- Call your insurance company
- Have it towed on a flatbed to a shop or wherever your insurer directs
Stuck in mud after the rain?
Heavy rain turns shoulders, yards, and unpaved roads around Tomball and the rural edges of Cypress into deep mud. If you're stuck, don't keep spinning the tires. You'll just dig in deeper. We do winch outs and vehicle recovery and can pull you out or tow you if something's damaged.
We work through storm season
We're open 24/7, including during and after storms, across Cypress, Tomball, and Northwest Houston. Save our number now: 346-377-7404.