What to Do If Your Car Gets Flooded: A Car Flood Safety Guide

As a Filipino, you already know how quickly a normal rainy day can turn into a flooding situation.

One minute you're driving home from work, and the next you're staring at a flooded street thinking, “Kaya naman ata ng kotse ko ‘to.”

Whether it's caused by a habagat, typhoon, sudden downpour, or that infamous flood-prone road you thought you could still pass through, getting caught in floodwater can be stressful and very expensive if you handle it the wrong way.

The good news is that knowing what to do can help prevent further damage to your car and, more importantly, keep you safe.

1. If the water is rising, prioritize your safety

Your car can be repaired. You can't replace your life.If you're already driving through floodwater and the water level is rising quickly, don't take unnecessary chances just to save the car. If it's safe to do so, move to higher ground and get yourself out of danger.

Floodwater can hide potholes, open manholes, debris, electrical hazards, and other obstacles you simply can't see from the driver's seat.

And remember: a familiar road isn't necessarily a safe road when it's flooded.

That shortcut in Pasig, Manila, Quezon City, Marikina, or wherever you normally drive may look manageable, but flood conditions can change within minutes.

2. Don't restart the engine

This is one of the most important things to remember.

If your car has stalled after driving through floodwater, don't keep trying to start it.

You might be tempted to turn the key or press the start button again because you're thinking, “Baka gumana pa.”

If water enters the engine through the air intake, restarting the engine can cause serious internal damage. This is commonly known as hydrolock.

Even if the car appears fine after the water goes down, resist the urge to start it just to check.

Have it inspected first by a professional before driving it.

3. Get the car towed instead of driving it home

Once you're in a safe location, call a towing service or your roadside assistance provider.

Yes, it can be inconvenient. Yes, it can cost money.

But towing your flooded car may be far cheaper than turning a potentially manageable repair into a major engine or electrical problem.

If you have comprehensive car insurance, check your policy or contact your insurer as soon as possible. Flood damage may be covered depending on your policy and whether you have the appropriate coverage, such as Acts of Nature coverage.

Keep photos and videos of the flooded vehicle and the surrounding area. These can be useful when documenting the incident for your insurer.

4. Take plenty of photos before cleaning anything

When the situation is safe, document the damage.

Take pictures and videos of:

• The car from all sides

• The waterline on the exterior

• The interior and seats

• The dashboard and instrument cluster

• The engine bay

• Carpets and floor mats

• Any visible mud, debris, or water

• The location where the flooding happened

Don't worry about getting perfect photos. What's important is having a record of what happened.

If possible, also take photos showing the surrounding flooded area. These can help establish how severe the flooding was.

5. Don't assume the car is okay just because it still starts

This is another common mistake.

Maybe the floodwater wasn't high enough to reach the engine. You start the car and everything seems normal.

That doesn't necessarily mean you're in the clear.

Water can affect:

• Electrical connections

• Sensors

• Wiring

• Brake components

• Wheel bearings

• Transmission components

• Interior electronics

• Air-conditioning systems

• Safety systems such as airbags

Some problems may not appear immediately.

That's why having the vehicle inspected after significant water exposure is a smart move, even if it seems to be running normally.

6. Get the interior dried as soon as possible

If floodwater entered the cabin, don't leave the car sitting closed up for days.

Our weather can be hot and humid, which sounds like it should help dry the interior. Unfortunately, trapped moisture combined with heat can create another problem: mold and a very unpleasant smell.

If the car is safe to work on, remove wet floor mats and other removable items.

The carpets and upholstery may need professional cleaning and drying, especially if the vehicle was submerged in dirty floodwater.

And don't forget that floodwater isn't exactly clean rainwater. It can contain mud, sewage, chemicals, oil, and other contaminants.

7. Have the fluids checked and replaced if necessary

Flooding can contaminate your vehicle's fluids.

A qualified mechanic should check things such as the:

• Engine oil

• Transmission fluid

• Differential fluid, where applicable

• Brake fluid

• Coolant

If water has entered a system that normally contains oil or another fluid, it may need to be drained and replaced.

Don't rely on appearance alone. A professional inspection is the safer approach.

8. Check the air filter and intake system

The engine's air intake is one of the areas that deserves particular attention after a flood.

If the air filter is wet, that's a warning sign that water may have traveled farther into the intake system.

Don't simply replace the air filter and drive away without checking the rest of the system.

A mechanic should inspect the intake and engine before the vehicle is started.

9. Contact your insurance company early

If you have car insurance, don't wait too long before reporting the incident.

Contact your insurer and ask what documentation and inspection process they require.

Keep your:

• Photos and videos

• Policy information

• Repair estimates

• Towing receipts

• Official reports, if applicable

• Other receipts related to the incident

Also, don't assume that every type of car insurance automatically covers flood damage. Review your policy or ask your insurance provider what coverage applies to your situation.

What NOT to do after your car gets flooded

Here's the quick version:

Don't:

• Start a stalled engine

• Drive through deeper water just to “test” the car

• Assume the car is fine because it still runs

• Leave a soaked interior to dry on its own

• Ignore warning lights or strange electrical behavior

• Immediately wash away all evidence before documenting the damage

• Attempt major repairs yourself if you're not qualified

A little prevention can go a long way

Of course, the best flood damage is the damage that never happens.

During the rainy season, check weather and traffic conditions before heading out. If a road is already known to be flooded, don't gamble just because you see other cars passing through.

Even large vehicles can lose traction, stall, suffer mechanical damage, or get swept by moving water.

If you're parking at home, especially in a flood-prone area, consider where you can move your vehicle when heavy rain is expected. Knowing your nearest safe, elevated parking area ahead of time can save you from making a rushed decision while floodwater is already rising.

Bottom line: Save yourself first, save the car second

Getting your car flooded is frustrating. You may be thinking about the repair bill, insurance claims, work the next morning, and how you're going to get around without your vehicle.

But the most important rule is simple:

Don't risk your life to save your car.

If floodwater reaches your vehicle, get to safety, avoid restarting a flooded engine, document the damage, have the car towed, and get it professionally inspected.

A flooded car can potentially be repaired.

You can't put a price on getting home safely.

At laging tandaan, basta gulong, i-GoGulong mo na ‘yan!