Electrifying Aftermath: Tampa Homes Ablaze Amid Hurricane Helene's Floodwaters

As Hurricane Helene battered Tampa with over 6 feet of storm surge, the city's mayor, Jane Castor, revealed a startling discovery – the floodwaters may have sparked a series of electric vehicle and scooter fires, causing devastating damage to homes in the upscale Davis Islands neighborhood.

Powering Through the Storm: The Risks of Lithium-Ion Batteries in Floods

Explosive Encounters: Electric Vehicles and the Saltwater Surge

The mayor's suspicions were fueled by the sheer destruction witnessed in the aftermath of the hurricane. "Water and ion batteries do not mix. They literally explode," Castor stated, describing the scene of a home in Davis Islands that was reduced to a single wall. The exact cause of this particular fire remains under investigation, but the mayor's concerns highlight the growing risks associated with electric vehicles and extreme weather events.Firefighters in Tampa faced significant challenges in reaching some of the house fires, as the floodwaters hindered their access. This delay may have exacerbated the damage, as the salty storm surge interacted with the lithium-ion batteries powering electric vehicles. While one electric vehicle on Davis Islands did catch fire, it was not directly linked to the home that was destroyed.

Scooters Succumb to the Surge: Exploding Batteries in the Floodwaters

The mayor's concerns extended beyond electric vehicles, as she also reported several incidents of rentable electric scooters exploding after being submerged in the fast-rising floodwaters. "Even the scooters – we have so many reports of those scooters that are hitting the water and the batteries are exploding," Castor said, highlighting the widespread nature of the problem.In response to the mayor's comments, Spin, one of Tampa's scooter partners, sought to reassure the public. A Spin spokesperson emphasized that community safety is their top priority and that 99% of their scooter fleet had been "disabled and secured" before the storm's arrival. The spokesperson also noted that Spin's batteries are specifically designed for safety and durability, including resistance to water intrusion, and are fully sealed to prevent exposure to the elements.

A Recurring Danger: Lithium-Ion Batteries and Floods

The issues surrounding lithium-ion batteries and floods are not new, but they are becoming increasingly prevalent as more and more consumers choose electric over gasoline-powered vehicles. Rob Herrin, the public safety information chief for Hillsborough County Fire Rescue in Tampa, explained the inherent danger: "The danger with lithium-ion batteries themselves is that there's a lot of power in a small little package. And when that energy is released, it's a tremendous amount of energy and a tremendous amount of heat."This risk was highlighted in 2022 when Hurricane Ian caused 20 electric cars to catch fire after they flooded with saltwater, creating hazards for first responders. Similarly, after more fires followed Hurricane Idalia last year, Florida's Palm Harbor Fire Rescue issued a warning, urging owners of hybrid or electric vehicles that had come into contact with saltwater to relocate their vehicles from garages without delay, as "saltwater exposure can trigger combustion in lithium-ion batteries."As the adoption of electric vehicles continues to grow, the potential for such incidents to occur during extreme weather events is a concern that must be addressed. Manufacturers, emergency responders, and local authorities will need to work together to develop effective strategies to mitigate the risks and ensure the safety of both drivers and the broader community.